* TACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 137 



THE FATE OF NIAGARA. 



Shall American Commercialism Destroy the Greatest of North American 



Scenic Attractions? 



The view of Niagara Falls in winter is impressive, and when once seen is 

 never to be forgotten. 



.In January, 1904, as we stood below the American Falls, the ice was 

 formed into a mountain just below the precipice, while the floes, blown to the 

 American side upon the rapids above, had entirely shut off the flow of water 

 from these falls. Xot one drop of water was falling over this side. 



Walking around to the Canadian side there was a very moderate quan- 

 tity of water pouring over the Canadian Falls, but by no means the abundance 

 which formerly made these waterfalls so attractive. 



The water has been so diverted to the tunnels and water wheels on both 

 the New York and Canadian sides that the scenic feature of the great falls 

 has to a great extent lost its impressiveness. 



There are still other schemes on foot, on both sides of the river, which 

 purpose the taking out of the stream a still greater portion of water, and bids 

 fair, if not checked, to destroy the beauty and grandeur entirely. 



The Niagara River is an international waterway, and the control of the 

 stream should be by joint action of the United States and Canadian govern- 

 ments. 



The State of Michigan or City of Detroit would not undertake to so greatly 

 divert the waters which flow between Lakes Huron and Erie, for the navi- 

 gation of the Great Lakes would thus be impaired, and this concerns the 

 national government of both the United States and Canada. 



There is no reason why the same law should not control Niagara, which 

 is visited by hundreds of thousands yearly, to view its wondrous grandeur. 



It is to be hoped that some effective means may be employed to prevent 

 further encroachment, and to limit the volume of water which existing manu- 

 facturers shall withdraw, and it may be best to confine this operation to the 

 right period, leaving the full volume to flow during the day. 



No corporation would construct a bridge or make other extensive im- 

 provements where the territory belongs to two independent governments 

 without first attaining the consent of both nations, nor should the water be 

 diverted from the Niagara River upon any other condition. 



