.

The Passing of the Forest

As long as the forest shall live,

The streams shall flow onward, still singing
Sweet songs of the woodland, and bringing
The bright living waters that give

New life to all mortals who thirst.
But the races of men shall be cursed.

Yea, the hour of destruction shall come
To the children of men in that day
When the forest shall pass away;
When the low woodland voices are dumb;
And death's devastation and dearth
Shall be spread o'er the face of the earth.

Avenging the death of the wood,

The turbulent streams shall outpour
Their vials of wrath, and no more

Shall their banks hold back the high flood,
Which shall rush o'er the harvests of men;
As swiftly receding again.

Lo! after the flood shall be dearth,

And the rain no longer shall fall
On the parching fields; and a pall,
As of ashes, shall cover the earth;

And dust-clouds shall darken the sky;
And the deep water wells shall be dry.

And the rivers shall sink in the ground,
And every man cover his mouth

From the thickening dust, in that drought;
Fierce famine shall come; and no sound

Shall be borne on the desolate air

But a murmur of death and despair.

-ALEXANDER BLAIR THAW, in the June Century.

SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

State Board of Forestry

1907

W. H. FREEMAN, Secretary

To the Governor of Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS:

WM. B. BURFORD, CONTRACTOR FOR STATE PRINTING AND BINDING.

1907