The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-02-08
Climatic Changes In Kansas.
Atchiaon Chamnion

The Champion published short
time ago, an article IN which we dis
cussed the westward movement OF the
line dividing the arabic and the unpro-
ductive sections OF this state. We said,
In this article, that we believed the vast
region between the Rocky Mountains
and the westward limits of the settle
ments in Kansas and Nebraska would
be redeemed for agricultural purposes
by the ordinary forces of nature, work
ing In their silent but effective pro-
cesses. We do not pretend to know
how or why these changes are brought
about, but we do know that they have
been going on, in Kansas, for over
twenty years and we know that the
line dividing the arid from the humid
and arabic portion of this State has
been pushed westward nearly three
hundred miles during that period. This
singular transformation of an arid des-
ert, upon which nothing but buffalo
grass and cactus grew, into a rich, pro-
life agricultural region, producing all
the cereals of the temperate zone in
proiusion, has been witnessed by thou
sands of intelligent people In this State,
and Is as well established fact as any
other in the history OF Kansas.
Prof. Tice may be correct in attri-
butlng this change to the influence of
telegraphs. In the Champion, nine
years ago, we published the following
article, referring to the notable abate-
ment in the violence and frequency of
thunder storms, and attributing the
change to similar causes. We re-pub-
lish the article, below, as of special
interest In the discussion of sucn q
question:
Those who were residents of Kan
sas from 1857 70 1851, cannot fail TO
remember the terrific tornadoes which
swept from the north during the rainy
season, and accompanied by hail, wind,
and such destructive and Undesirable
electric displays that it seemed as II
| the spectator stood in the visible pres
ence of an offended God. AS the pop
ulaIion OF the country has increased,
these disturbances have gradually di-
niLished in violence and frequency,
and for the past few years there has
been nothing TO attract unusual atten-
ton. This change is und. nbtedly due
TO tine large introduction of metals in
TO the country Tor the uses OF domestic
life and In the mechanical arts, and al
so the construction of railroads and
| telegraphs, whose rails and wires, ex-
tending through vast spaces, equalize
by their conducting power the electric
condition OF the atmosphere, and rem
der local accommodations impossible. II
Is a striking illustration of mans su-
periority to nature, and prophetic OF
the time when that control Will be
complete, when he will be able at will
To dispense the clouds, TO avert the I'M
timely frost, and TO invite the early
and the later rain"
That there has also been a remarka-
BILE change in the distribution OF moIs-
ture In this State, since Its settlement,
Is now q well-esta blished fact. In the
Issue of the Champion from which the
article quoted above Is published, at
tention Is called to this change, and we
have frequently referred TO it since.
The annual rainfall has not materially
increased, but IL has been more uni
tormly distributed throughout the year.
Formerly the greater portion descend
ed, In violent showers, during the
months when It was least needed In
hastening or promoting the growth OF
vegetation and falling upon the I'M
broken sod OF the pratries, ran lmme-
diately into the streams and was lost in
the sea. AS settlement has increased
and the soil been broken aud rendered
porous, the rains have been absorbed
by the earth, and gradually restored
again 20 the atmosphere oy solar evap-
Grafton. Kansas, too, unlike the heaV-
lily timbered States, Is annually incre&s-
ing her forests. Tres-pianting receive,
more and more attention from oul
people, as the beneficent results o.
forests are plainly apparent. Trees ex.
ercise q notable influence In retaining
moisture In the ground and bringing
timely rainfalls. We believe, therefore
that these processes will continue, anC
as the plOW goes westward the tillabls
area will expand. The tough, wiry
herbage of the plains will continue Z
yield, as IL has been yielding for TWEEN.
~ years past, to the succulent grasse.
and nutritious grains which make tn.
wealth OF nations. And as we said Il
our recent article oc the redemption o.
the waste lands OF Kansas, we shall no
be at all surprised IL Il Is discovered
} within few years, that there Is no sue
ton Of Kansas not capable OF producing
abundant crops.