42 MODERN FOREST ECONOMY. 



while in the land devoid of forests it falls now here, now 

 there, falls, it may be, in torrents, deluging the land, 

 while extensive districts are left dry both occasioning 

 great inequality in the distribution even where the 

 quantity of rain falling may be proximately equal ; and the 

 inequality in benefit ffom what falls is made still greater 

 by the torrential occasional rains draining of rapidly to the 

 river beds, and by them to the sea, while the woodlands 

 absorb and retain a much larger portion of what falls upon 

 them. And thus is fulfilled what is written ' The earth 

 which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, bringeth 

 forth herbs, meet for those by whom it is dressed, and 

 receiveth the blessing of God : but that which beareth 

 thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing.' 



In works on Forest Science, published on the Continent, 

 there abound statements relative to the effect of forests in 

 maintaining humidity of soil and climate. 



The following more popular allusions to the effect of 

 forests upon the humidity and consequent fertility of a 

 country I find amongst others cited in Le Bulletin de la 

 ligue du Rebouement de TAlgerie. I have numbered them 

 to facilitate reference to any, should this be desired. 



1. ' In felling trees growing on the sides and summits 

 of mountains, men under all climates prepare for subse- 

 quent generations two calamities at once a lack of fire- 

 wood, and a want of water.' Humboldt. 



2. ' Whoever kills a tree, kills a Servian.' A Servian 

 Proverb. 



3. '"Replant or be accursed!" may every one of his 

 fellow citizens say to the landholder who uproots his 

 forest ; "You are refusing to us water." ' Ranch. 



4. c Now may be seen clearly whither tends this fatal 

 connection of cause and effect which begins with the 

 destruction of forests, and ends in the miseries of the 

 population : dooming thus the man to share the ruin of 

 the soil which he has devastated.' Surell. 



5. ' It is always hazardous to interfere, however slightly, 



