as follows: With the growth of each
year, the area of the leafy surfaces of these forest trees is enormously
extended. Measured by the same increasing ratio, many additional
thousands of tons of moisture are pumped up and given to the winds in
the form of a fine vapor, by the tireless industry of these lovely
leaves. This vapor is taken up by the clouds--nature's aerial
reservoirs. Soon this treasure of waters thus accumulated, is restored
to the thirsty earth by a largely increased rainfall. Autumnal frosts
ripen and loosen each crop of leaves; they fall silently to the ground,
where they quickly form a thick, soft carpet of ever increasing
thickness. Through the action of shade and moisture, the under surface
of this carpet becomes a layer of fine leaf mold, which in turn offers
rich food for the sustenance of millions of tiny feeding rootlets from
the trees of the forest. The closely interwoven fibre of these rootlets,
everywhere forms a strong web for the carpet, which firmly holds in
place the soft, porous, underlying soil, safely protecting it from the
destructive erosion which, especially on the steeper slopes, swiftly
follows the dashing violence of heavy rain storms. Gradually this leafy
carpet grows in strength and thickness; like some great sponge it sucks
up and retains the waters of the snows of winter, with those of the
increased rain-fall of summer.

"Thousands of mountain torrents, the beginnings of destructive floods,
are thus checked, absorbed and shorn of their disintegrating energies.
The garnered waters from this wonderful leafy sponge, slowly percolate
through the soil, to reappear in a multitude of living springs of pure
sparkling water. From these springs gently flow the tiny rivulets, which
in turn become the full streams that gladden the plains and valleys
throughout the long scorching months of summer.

"By a close analysis of the beneficial results which follow the annual
recurrence of these beautiful processes, we may form a correct estimate
of the vast importance of this tree-planting labor, to which this day,
we gladly offer our best energies and our best thought. We begin to
perceive the magnitude of the blessing which may be conferred on
mankind, in general and on the agriculturist in particular, by the
continued work of covering our hills and mountains with valuable
forests.

"We have discovered from nature the secret of a power that shall enable
us to control many of our environment