THE FOREST. 
169 
forestry must be to all thoughtful persons ; and it does seem 
strange that in the nineteenth century there should be nations 
who blind their eyes to the fact that if they allow their mountains 
to be deprived of their clothing of trees, then the rain, as it 
descends upon them, will speedily run off to flood the lower 
lands, and the moisture, not being retained in the mountains, to 
be given off gradually, as designed by nature, drought must 
follow. Here is the cause of Russian famine. 
Sir John Lubbock says in one of his charming books that the 
reckless cutting down of forests is the cause of the downfall of 
nations. This is very true — witness the decayed power of Syria, 
of Greece, of Spain. Look particularly at Spain, the most 
recent example we have, with her hills denuded of their natural 
covering, her dried-up streams, her pulverized ground, destroyed 
climate, ruined agriculture, and destruction of the sources of 
national wealth and contentment. What a power she was, and 
what a power she may again become, with her fine frontier, if 
she will only replant her forests! The question is sometimes 
asked : “ Will the newly-created German power last ? ” The 
answer can be at once given ; “ Certainly ; she replants and 
maintains her forests, the national stability rests upon a sure 
foundation — the preservation of agriculture.” 
There is much more to be said upon this most interesting 
subject, but of that, perhaps, another day — this article is al- 
ready too long. Meanwhile, let us hope that a greater interest 
in it will be taken in some high places, and forestry be intro- 
duced where needed. The people of the United States, and 
some of our nearer neighbours, should look well to this matter ; 
and it should be well borne in mind in our colonies. It is worthy 
the attention of great men, and more to be thought of than pro- 
tective duties, tariff wars, international exhibitions, and passing 
political questions. The nation that heedlessly cuts down its 
forests does not develop, but destroys its resources. What criminal 
folly, what selfish indifference to enduring interests and the 
rightful claims of posterity ! 
The forester’s important work is not that of a day or a year, 
it is for those that come after (trees do not mature so as to be 
fit to cut down for timber till they are from sixty to one hundred 
and twenty years old, speaking generally). At the same time 
his life and occupations are, indeed, pleasant, and the following 
German proverb will fitly conclude this article, “ Den Wald zu 
pflegen, bringt alien Segen,” which may be rendered thus — “ To 
tend the wood brings every good.” 
Slapton, Kingsbridge. 
Giles A. Daubeny. 
