American Forest Congress 43 



The destruction of the forests during the Civil War 

 has not and cannot be computed. This loss affected 

 the agricultural interests in every State that was the 

 scene of operations. The destruction of large forests, 

 the gradual growth of hundreds of years, caused im- 

 mense loss. Both armies contributed to this. Costly 

 bridges, dwellings, and out-houses were consumed by 

 fire. The relaying of railroads and rebuilding of 

 bridges and dwellings demanded a new supply, and 

 helped to drain the country of timber that was left. 

 Native Virginians in some sections refused to remain 

 where all the timber had been swept away. For the 

 same reason emigrants declined to come to some of 

 the finest parts of the State. 



The menace to health is greatly augmented by the 

 destruction of the forests, and the farmers of this 

 country have suffered and are still suffering, to an 

 alarming extent from this cause. We have no dry 

 statistics on this point, but the experience of many, 

 and the observation of all who travel, will confirm the 

 statement. 



The counties of Culpeper and Fauquier, in Virginia, 

 were singularly free from malaria while their forests 

 stood comparatively undisturbed. After the destruc- 

 tion of these, through war and other causes, fevers, 

 before unknown, became prevalent. 



The elderly physicians of Eastern Virginia might 

 furnish an interesting chapter to history on this point; 

 for it is one that deeply concerns the welfare of the 

 farmers of the whole country, who are suffering in 

 many ways from the wasteful destruction of the for- 

 ests. It is to be hoped that our Department of 

 Agriculture will investigate the health conditions that 

 prevail after the removal of the forests from certain 

 localities, and request the medical fraternity to furnish 

 their valuable experiences along this line. 



