ADVANTAGES ON SEA-COAST 7 



heat, would be almost negligible, as the great 

 forest barrier and the impenetrable masses of 

 foliage would prevent their action. 



The deep beds of humus which formed the 

 surface soil were themselves great water-holding 

 masses, and with their superficial layers of dry 

 leaves lost but little moisture to the atmosphere. 



Owing to the somewhat insular position of 

 Great Britain, and its much smaller area as 

 compared with that of the vast continents of the 

 New World, the effect of the foliage of trees in 

 quantity upon atmospheric and soil humidity is 

 not so great, yet in a lesser degree it illustrates 

 the advantages which may be gained by planting 

 up open districts. 



The great disadvantage to which these open 

 districts are subject is that of fluctuation of 

 atmospheric humidity. At certain times the 

 atmosphere over the land upon the sea-coast, and 

 for some considerable distance inland, is heavily 

 laden with moisture off the sea ; at other times 

 strong winds from certain directions prevail which, 

 having but little to check them, cause by their 

 drying influences deleterious effects on vegetation. 



The presence of trees in quantity would lessen 

 to a great degree the fluctuations of water vapour 

 in the atmosphere during the warmer periods of 

 the year, and would in a measure counteract the 

 effects of seasons of small annual rainfall, which 



