CHAPTER II. 23 



FOREST DESTRUCTION AFFECTING RAINFALL. 



Amongst matters that must be considered in the study of forestry 

 is the effect of forest destruction upon the rainfall. This is still an 

 open question. Does forest destruction diminish the rainfall is 

 niie question, and another in this connection is: Does forest destruc- 

 tion change the character of the rainfall? Does the rainfall in denuded 

 districts become more diluvial than when these were forested? Other 

 questions for our study and investigation are: The delivery of rain- 

 fall through forest leaves and branches to the soil; the evaporation 

 area; the retentive power for water of the forest soil mixed with 

 humus; the detaining effect upon rainfall off-flow of forest humus, 

 leaves and roots; the electrical effects of forests; the chemical ef- 

 fects upon air and soil of forests; the climatic effects of forests; the 

 radiation of heat from forested as compared with bare areas; the ef- 

 fect of forests on winds; botany, geology and biology all come into 

 the study of forestry. Replanting desolated districts and the selection 

 of trees for these must not be overlooked. 



QUESTION OF TORRENTS. 



The immediate and paramount question for us now in Southern 

 California is the prevention and extinction of forest fires. A close sec- 

 ond to this is the management of torrents already created and the 

 prevention of these in the water-sheds where they arise. In the Austrian 

 Tyrol the policy of diking and valley protection has been followed to 

 deal with the dangerous torrents, while In France the policy has 

 been more to extinguish the torrent by dealing with its source. These 

 methods we will contrast. In dealing with all these subjects remember 

 that it is cur own eyes with which we see. We have the opportunity 

 like all students of Increasing our horizon by mounting on the shoul- 

 ders of thosu who seek to instruct us. Or to take another simile. They 

 who address us are in resemblance to sign boards on roads. They point 

 the way, wo hope the best and shortest way to the goal, but it is we 

 ourselves who travel the road. We will never reach the goal by simply 

 sitting and studying the sign boards. 



I have been around the world, yet I have never seen elsewhere a 

 union of fertile soil, steep boundary mountains, delightful climate and 

 light ram.Call with periodic diluvial dovnipours such as exists in South- 

 em California, nor have I seen elsewhere any land so clearly demanding 

 protection and management of mountain forests. Forestry here means 

 the life of the community. 



