p. 160

168

General Health

of the sun and winds, a deleterious effect is produced on the general health: the decaying vegetable matter being thus suddenly made to send forth its malarious qualities. But in Wisconsin no such result is apprehended, or can be produced, for a large proportion of the country consists of Oak Openings and prairie, and may therefore be considered as already cleared. The removal of the few remaining "bur oaks" cannot have the same effect upon the soil as the cutting down of the dense forests of other western states. And besides this-[Besides this], the fires that have annually raged over the surface, often kindled purposely by Indians on their hunting excursions, has prevented that rapid accumulation of vegetable matter which is always found in deep shady woods where the fires do not so often penetrate.

168

General Health

of the sun and winds, a deleterious effect is produced on the general health: the decaying vegetable matter being thus suddenly made to send forth its malarious qualities. But in Wisconsin no such result is apprehended, or can be produced, for a large proportion of the country consists of Oak Openings and prairie, and may therefore be considered as already cleared. The removal of the few remaining "bur oaks" cannot have the same effect upon the soil as the cutting down of the dense forests of other western states. And besides this-[Besides this], the fires that have annually raged over the surface, often kindled purposely by Indians on their hunting excursions, has prevented that rapid accumulation of vegetable matter which is always found in deep shady woods where the fires do not so often penetrate.