2/0 
|«/ han during the second - 1910 was exceptionally dry ; only 
W Fr ° m ^Klang records, which date 
foio thpl a ? PearS thatdunngthe second half of the period 1885 to 
1910, the annual average was one inch more than during the first period. 
It can hardly be argued from these records that clearing of the 
forest has affected the total rainfall. The effect of such clearing in 
emperate climates is still a matter of discussion. It should also be 
lemembered that m almost all cases of clearing of forest the land is 
onl> bare of tree growth for a comparatively short period. The 
\ S : ° fcourse ’ aband °ned land upon which lalang 
establishes itself. It seems probable that, although the clearing and 
urning of forest may cause a diminution of the rainfall in the im- 
mediate neighbourhood of the clearing, and for a short time, the factors 
^hich regulate the rainfall in this country, surrounded as it is by the 
sea, are too powerful to be seriously affected by such a cause. The 
nrn e hIhTf W0U l d W 3 dififerent as P?ct if there was any reasonable 
probabiht}^ of vast areas of land being cleared and becoming 
otT ' hpV?/ 7 ^ eeS i particularly if such clearings were made 
on the hills The Peninsula has not proved itself suitable for stock 
raising. There would therefore seem to be no danger of large tracts of 
country benig cleared for grazing. It is this practice which in the past 
wrought such havoc m parts of India which are far from the influence 
of the sea, and which have a defined dry season. It would not be wise 
however, to presume upon our safety from drought. The records are 
aad as far as 1 am aware > no expert meteorologist has 
studied the subject As long as there is doubt on the question, the 
■ “° f arge tracts of forests is, for this reason alone, fully 
justified. Particularly should the forest be maintained on the hills, 
mere aie, of course many other reasons for forest reservation, but 
they are outside the present subject. 
B. H. F. BARNARD. 
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AND 
DIARRHOEA. 
To be had at the Singapore Dispensary and of Miss Brown, 
Grassdale, River Valley Road, Singapore :: :: ;; » 
