1895.] ESSAYS. 97 



A forest fertilizes and reinvigorates the earth. The roots penetrate 

 the soil and thereby let in the air and water, while the deposit of 

 leaves and branches enriches the ground and keeps it warm in winter 

 and cool in summer. A hill unprotected by trees will soon lose its 

 soil, unless frequently supplied with some fertilizing material to take 

 the place of the soil which is washed away by every rain. And such 

 is the renovating influence of a forest upon the soil, that a piece of 

 worn-out land will become again virgin soil after it has been under 

 cover of trees for a generation or two. 



Trees also serve as conductors of electricity between the clouds and 

 the earth, and cause the clouds to discharge their contents upon the 

 earth. A thunder-cloud will pass unbroken over a barren and tree- 

 less hill, as if not deigning to notice or refresh such an unlovely 

 thing, while it will pour down the cooling moisture of heaven, if its 

 electricity is drawn off by a few tree conductors. It is well-known 

 that the most fertile soil will not produce vegetable growth unless it 

 is saturated with water either from the clouds or reservoirs ; and 

 inasmuch as the reservoirs themselves are largely supplied by rain- 

 fall, it becomes evident that an abundant rainfall is necessary for 

 agricultural purposes in nearly all countries. Then, if trees are con- 

 ducive to rainfall, they are as indispensable to man in the production 

 of his food as in the purification of the air he breathes. 



Forests are useful to the farmer, the horticulturist, and the stock- 

 raiser. A forest, or even a cluster of trees when rightl}' situated, is 

 a great protection to farm-buildings, fruit and grain fields, and pasture 

 lands. When horses, cattle, and sheep have an opportunity, they 

 will always seek shelter on the leeward side of trees on every cold 

 and stormy day, and on the shady side every hot and sunshiny day. 

 When stock is pastured out through the season, either in the East or 

 the West, mercy as well as economy requires forest shelter for them. 



Then again there is beauty as well utility in trees. They greatly 

 enhance the beauties of a country, and no country can be beautiful in 

 the highest degree without them. If the green hills and mountains of 

 New England were stripped of their woods, the lovers of natural 

 scenery and rural life would seek elsewhere the gratification of their 

 tastes. 



A lake or stream fringed with trees is more beautiful than a treeless 

 one. A few sheltering trees wisely distributed upon a hill gives it 

 added beauty and picturesqueness, even when its sides are verdant 

 with green grass or covered with waving grain. Such a hill is 

 always a beautiful object, and one which harmonizes exceedingly well 



