FORESTRY 



339 



and Belgium have reclaimed so much of the surface of those 

 fertile countries. 



Forestry. When rain drops upon the foliage of trees, 

 its force is broken and it falls to the ground in fine spray. 

 If the ground beneath is carpeted with leaves and humus, 

 the soil is further protected from erosion. The water readily 



BAD LANDS OF DAKOTA 

 Running water has so dissected this land as to render it valueless. 



soaks into the soil made spongy by leaves and roots. When 

 the rain is over, evaporation does not take place rapidly 

 because of the double protection afforded by the shade of 

 the trees and by the leafy carpet. If the trees are cut away 

 the rain splashes down on the unprotected soil. Most of 

 the water runs off the surface, often carrying fertile soil 

 with it. Even the water which soaks into the ground is 

 usually quickly evaporated from the unshaded surface. 



