452 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



fare of a country is more identified with the forests that cover it than with any- 

 other feature of the earth's surface. The trees are the kindest friends of the soil ; 

 they are the guardians of its fertility ; they protect the fields from devastating 

 floods, and cherish the springs that feed the streams. Without them a land be- 

 comes an arid desert, and its people are debased to barbarism and poverty. 

 Great desolated tracts in Asia, Africa, and along the Eastern Mediterranean were 

 once blooming and garden-like ; but when the trees were cut away the dryads 

 avenged themselves. Therefore it is fitting that in the grand taking account of 

 stock in the national storehouse that occurs every decade, the forest wealth of the 

 country should at last be accorded its proper place. 



Although the statistics concerning the forests of most of the European coun- 

 tries are generally full and accurate, the institution of the forestry division of the 

 tenth census of the United States forms the first attempt to obtain such informa- 

 tion by means of the census work of any country. In laying out the work of his 

 bureau. General Francis A. Walker, the superintendent of the census, decided 

 to undertake an investigation into the extent of the forest covering of the country 

 as related to agriculture; into the forest wealth as related to manufactures, to 

 railway transportation, and to the domestic supply of fuel ; and into the operations 

 of the lumbering industry as pursued in the principal districts of cutting and ex- 

 port. The scope of the investigation comprises the chief characteristics of the 

 forest flora of each section of the country, an account of the various woods in 

 their adaptation to industrial and domestic uses, and the methods in vogue in the 

 various parts of the country for the protection or restoration of the forest growth. 

 — November Atlantic. 



INDIAN SUMMER. 



The tranquil river glideth to the sea, 



Thro' purple haze the golden sunbeams fall; 

 The white sails glimmer by us silently — 



The hush of dreamland lieth over all. 



Our spirits live like flowers in the light. 



Nor feel nor fear the sting of earthly pain. 



For dread the shadows of the coming night, 

 In peaceful rest we lie ; all toil is vain. 



Vain are the hopes and fears and doubts of youth. 

 We dream our lives away, and ask not why ; 



Vain all our lofty aspirations after truth ; 



To-day we spend in ease, to-morrow die. 



