CHAPTER XI. 
WINDS. 
AN important and manifold influence on the distribution 
of forests, and of different kinds of forest trees, is exercised 
by the winds.. By means of these seeds of trees are widely 
dispersed ; they are thus borne to bare spots in the forest; 
and to bare lands beyond ; and the winds thus contribute 
where local conditions are favourable, to give extension to 
the distribution of forests, and of different kinds of forest 
trees. But frequently their operation is also destructive. 
By successively stripping a tree, young or old, of its 
foliage, the tree is starved and it dies ; by: bringing breezes 
from the sea charged with salt they kill many kinds of 
trees, and thus prevent the growth of such along the coast ; 
by breaking off-a. bough or a twig. they: give access to 
moisture, and to germs of fungi, either of which may. 
prove fatal to the tree; by blowing vapours from a kiln 
they may occasion the death of an extensive forest patch; 
by spreading a: forest fire they may devastate a whole 
country side; and by a gale or cyclone they may lay low 
trees the growth of centuries. Ges 
But not less important, on the other hand, is the action 
of forests as’ a windbrake ‘giving. shelter to dwellings and 
cultivated fields ; and in arresting malaria ; and in prevent- 
ing the drifting of loose sand, which otherwise might render 
sterile fertile Jands.. In view of such effects the conserva 
tion and extension of forests has in many countries been 
made subject of legislation and government administration 
in which the rural economist is not less directly interested. 
than is the student of forest science. : 
, In some countries to the south of Norway much atten- 
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