Show showing value of forests A most striking example of the transforming effect of forests rot not only on the appearance appear anice but on the productivity of a country Is ia afforded by the he department ot dt the landes in prance france at the close of the eighteenth century about acres in that region were little more moie than shifting sand dunes and disease breed log ing marshes at present the same lands are among the richest most productive and healthful in france franc e and the change has been brought about by intelligent cultivation of plus pine forests even the character of tho the climate of the region has been ameliorated and it has become mild and balmy A layer of clay beneath the sandy upper surface soil formerly impervious to water has been clemed by the pine roots roeta until a thorough drainage Is established to the spongy earth below |