DISCUSSION: FORESTS, RESERVOIRS, AND STREAM FLOW 445 
cult. The Chinese and also the Igorrotes of Northern Luzon prevent Mr. Labelle. 
the erosion of their sidehills by building against them a system of 
terraces; some fine examples of this mode of construction can be seen 
in the Province of Lepanto-Bontoe, Island of Luzon. 
Enough has been said to show how insecure the foundation under- 
lying the theory of forest and stream flow is at present. Further 
studies will probably bring out classes and indicate the kind of water- 
sheds where forestation is beneficial. To accept the theory as it now 
stands, with its sweeping claims, would be both illogical and unwise. 
If the acceptance of this theory means the spending of millions in 
time and money, the country should be sure that failure to accomplish 
results will not confront future generations. 
In reference to the system of reservoirs proposed on the Ohio 
River and its tributaries: If the advocates of the scheme expect to 
get revenue from the sale of water-power in the Ohio Valley, they will 
certainly meet with disappointment. This section of the country is 
blessed with an abundance of good coal, and it would be difficult to 
find anywhere a district where water-power is in less demand and will 
remain so for so many years. Should our Government wish to elucidate 
this matter, let a power survey be made of the whole valley and it will 
soon be found that the proposition is hopeless. 
As regards the enterprise as a whole, the writer hopes that it will 
be agreed that nobody knows whether or not it is practicable, because 
nobody has ever tried to find out and gather the physical facts 
necessary to form an intelligent opinion. 
The writer finds only one fault with the investigation of this matter 
which was initiated by the last Congress; the appropriations for this 
work should be largely increased to push it rapidly to completion. 
The whole water-shed of the Ohio should be investigated, proper 
structures designed, and different combinations of reservoirs effected; 
then the whole proposition should be submitted to engineers of national, 
if not international, reputation, and its merits and practicability 
determined on a basis of indisputable facts and data. The more com- 
plete and exhaustive are the studies, the less speculation will be re- 
quired. If the scheme has to be rejected, let it be done as quickly as 
practicable, in order that local means may be adopted for the protection 
of flood-swept districts and the amelioration of rivers. 
Emi, Kuicuunc, M. Am. Soc. C. E. (by letter) —This difficult mr. Kuichling. 
subject has been presented by the author in a very clear and forcible 
manner, and gives the results of his careful observations and long 
experience with extensive projects for the conservation and regulation 
of the discharge of many natural streams. The ground covered, how- 
ever, is so broad that discussion must necessarily be limited to the 
consideration of only a few of the various features involved. 
Much has been written during the past fifty years on the meteoro- 
