5 APRIL 1946, Page 15

" FORESTS AND CLIMATE "

SIR,—I cannot agree with Mr. Ward's opinion that forests do not largely affect climate. If he had known the Riviera as long as I have he would see evidences that they do. During the war of 1914-18 the peasants, as they could not get any coal, cut down large tracts of forests in the hills behind the Riviera, and in consequence the climate has been noticeably wetter and colder in the winter. •So much so that the cultivation of lemons has been very largely given up in the district round Nice. In Ceylon, it is illegal to cut down trees above a certain height, as it has been found that the cultivation of coffee bushes in the valleys is adversely affected when this is done.—I have the honour, &c.,