CONCLUSIONS, y 



for their own needs. It is doubtful, however, whether the loss from 

 the latter cause is not greater in the case of lield crops than in the 

 forest. On the whole, it is safe to say that a larger proportion of the 

 precipitation gets ultimately into the streams from a forest-covered 

 region than from one that is unforested. 



Forests exert a very important influence in equalizing the stream 

 flow. Snow melts more slowly in the woods than on open ground, 

 and the water-holding capacity of forest soil retards the run-off' of 

 both rain and snow water. The reduction which has taken place in 

 the area of forested land in the Kock Eiver region has therefore had 

 an unfavorable effect on the streams. 



That part of the original forest which still remains has undergone 

 a change in character. Cutting and pasturing have produced an open 

 growth. One result of this is greater evaporation. Another result 

 is a deterioration in the character of the soil and a consequent loss of 

 moisture-holding capacity. Grass and weeds have entered, and the 

 absorption of moisture by a growing soil cover has thus been increased. 

 Changes in stream flow have therefore resulted from the changed con- 

 ditions of the forest which remains, as well as from the loss of that 

 which has disappeared. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



Improvement in the flow of the Rock Ki ver depends on the practicabil- 

 ity of storing the water which falls in rain and snow T so that it may be 

 discharged in an even and constant volume. One possible method of 

 accomplishing this is through the agency of artificial reservoirs. . The 

 question is whether the pecuniary benefit which would be gained would 

 be great enough to pay for the land which would have to be acquired 

 and the dams which would have to be built. This is for. the interests 

 affected to decide. It is a purely private and business question, which 

 need not be discussed here. 



Another possible method, of equalizing the flow is through the agency 

 of forest growth. The present condition is largely the result of forest 

 destruction and forest deterioration incidental to the agricultural devel- 

 opment of the region. In this case, therefore, the question becomes, 

 Can it be shown to landowners in this region that it would pay them 

 individually to have a larger part of their farms timbered, or to improve 

 the character of their woodland I 



It is believed that the present condition of the average woodlot in 

 this region is such that the owners are now suffering an actual loss of 

 a considerable part of their value, and that the area now wooded 

 might often be extended with a resulting clear profit to the farm. It 

 is further believed that this added return may be secured by anyone 

 of ordinary intelligence and enterprise, without expert assistance and 

 without the outlay of capital or any expenditure other than that of a 



