74 Condition of Forests on tlie Public Lands. [258 



is changing into torrents of a few weeks' duration 

 in the spring, which carry destruction by their flood 

 and wash away the more fertile soils, and then sub- 

 side and disappear when most needed. When set- 

 tlers, lumbermen and miners alike call out for reform, 

 what opposition need we expect? What is to be 

 overcome but the vis inertice that stands in the way 

 of all reform? One or two cannot accomplish the 

 result which we all desire. Of one thing be assured, 

 only by constant agitation can there be effected a 

 more thorough appreciation by the people of the 

 whole country of the perilous condition of our forests 

 and what their destruction means to our national 

 prosperity. From this alone will remedial legislation 

 spring. 



