FOREST TREES AND FOREST SCENERY 
part only along the banks of streams, 
this region has a curious interest for 
the forester. It is believed by many 
that this wide country, now waving in 
grain and grass and covered with ex- 
tensive farms, was at one time enriched 
with scattered forests; but that these 
have disappeared under the ravages 
of repeated fires, kindled, it is sup- 
posed, chiefly by the Indians. At 
present our own race is perseveringly 
reclothing these prairie lands with 
groves and avenues of trees, and 
is planting belts of them about farms 
and orchards for protection from hot or 
frosty winds. Thus the fringed bor- 
ders of the streams are widening. The 
outcome of this activity is a development 
that stands in marked contrast with the 
hurried consumption of our other forests. 
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