54 
but also that their formation has been prevented by reforesting and returfing the 
denuded mountain slopes. If in the Rocky Mountains the occurrence of these dan- 
gers is not so frequent and disastrous as it has proved to be in Switzerland, Tyrol, 
and other European mountain regions, this may be partly due to differences of climate 
and geologic conditions. The presumption, however, is that the frequency and ef- 
fects of such slides will be duly recorded in our mountain regions with the increase 
of settlements and decrease of forest caver. As a proper protection against snow- 
slides is even now called for, a chapter on their formation and prevention has been 
appended to this report.—B. E. F. 
LOSS OF FOLIAGE. 
In the early part of the year 1885 extensive belts of conifers along 
the Pike’s Peak and Front ranges, in Colorado, suffered a loss of blight- 
ing of foliage, which many supposed would resuit in the death of the 
trees. 
Inquiry developed the fact that such occurrences, though rare in this 
region, were not without precedent, and were probably caused by sudden 
and extreme atmospheric changes. The trees so affected usually regain 
their foliage, although it is believed their vitality is impaired. 
RELATIONS OF FOREST PRESERVATION TO AGRICULT- 
URE. 
In all countries the relations between forests and agriculture are more 
or less intimate. The forests receive moisture from the atmosphere, 
store it in their recesses, and through springs and running streams send 
it forth to water the land. Forests in proper proportion meliorate the 
severities of climate, rendering a country habitable for man and adapted 
to the growth of fruits and grains suited to his needs. Floods and 
droughts seldom occur in a region of forests. Forest products enter 
into all human activities, and it may be said that the race could not 
exist in the absence of forests. 
In the Rocky Mountain region, where arid or semi-arid conditions 
prevail, the most important office performed by the forests is the con- 
servation and distribution of moisture. The countries at the base of 
the mountains, and surrounding them, would be uninhabitable were it 
not for the forests which partially clothe the latter. Were tne mount- 
ains wholly stripped of that covering which nature has so wisely be- 
stowed upon them, but little moisture would be gathered from the atmos- 
phere, violent storms would often occur, and torrents and seasons of 
drought would take the place of existing conditions. 
In this region the direct dependence of agriculture upon the forests 
is more plainly seen than elsewhere. Except in a few localities, field 
crops, orchards, and gardens are cultivated with the aid of irrigation 
systems, the water for which is taken from the mountain streams. 
Should the forests be destroyed, the streams, irrigation systems, and 
crops would meet a similar fate. | 


