xvi PREFACE 



blaming Providence for results directly caused by 

 our own recklessness in denuding the earth of its 

 natural reservoir the woodland. 



Where the banks are covered with forests the 

 snow melts slowly in the spring, but where the 

 trees have been cleared away, the waters come sud- 

 denly and with a mad rush, leaving devastation 

 and ruin in their wake ! 



But do not think that I am pessimistic, for I am 

 a loyal optimist. What I am trying to show is 

 that we are prodigal sons, and although we may 

 yet have to do our stunt as swineherds we even 

 now have a growing consciousness of our sins and 

 will repent in time to save some of our great and 

 incomprehensible inheritance. 



Good old Dame Nature is even now patiently 

 looking forward to our repentance and reformation 

 and sits waiting the prodigal's return, with a large 

 and fatted calf for our delectation. 



But we cannot hope to reach this practical com- 

 mon-sense view of the situation by reason alone. 

 Sentiment has ever been a more powerful incentive 

 to action than reason, and I am glad to see that 

 sentiment seems to be now turning people to a 

 tardy appreciation of nature and the grand natural 

 resources of our great continent of America. 



