Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-07-19
n the Chicago Inter Ocean.
ACLIMATlC PHENOMONOM.

One OF the most interesting and imp0r-
tant features in the development OF the
Southwest is the undisputed fact that its
rainfall has materially increased with its
settlement. The long columns Of crop re-
ports published in the Inter Ocean Of Satur-
day told Of grand haryests gathered fOm
soil that for years was supposed to be WORTH
less, and there was good ground tor that
suppositon. The wheat crop from four
counties Of Central Kansas, Sedgwick, But
Ter, Cowley and Sumner, will be from four
10 five millions of bushels, and Sedgwitk
county alone has 49,, 600 acres OF corn in
splendid condition. This 10 from land that
as late rs 1870 yielded nothing, was consid-
cred hopelessly barren. and yet to-day pro-
Juces these grand results without irriga-
ton. There are heavier, more frequent,
and more regular showers in Kansas and
New Mexico, and in fact in ali the trans
Missouri States and Territories, than there
were twenty or even five years ago. The
records OF the meteorolOgists show gradu-
al but consistent increase in the rainfall.
and an advance Of the boundaries of the
agricultural area of the prairies with the
march of civilization. As the settlers move
west the desert recedes, aud it Will not be
many years before the necessity for irriga-
ton will cease, and the natural moisture OF
the atmosphere will be adequate to the re-
quirements of vegetation.
In 1915 vegetable could not be grown at
Topeka; and all attempts at gardening by
the soldiers Of the frontier posts were fail
ures. In 1870 the same conditions existed
at Larned, where to-day are thousands OF
acres of waving corn, and in 1879 nothing
could be raised at Fort Dodge, where now
as large and prolific crops can be produced
as anywhere in Ohio or Illinois. In New
Mexico and Colorado the annual rainfall is
nifcent garden at Santa Fe is the delight of
visitors, has a record covering n period of
forty years, which demonstrates the fact
beyond controversy.
There are various theories TO account for
this phenomenon. Some argue that the
building Of railroads and telegraph lines
establishes a metallic connection between
the moist climates and the dry, along which
electric currents are conveyed, but this is
scarcely capable of demonstration. Others
believe that the earth Is undergoing a cli-
matte change through the influence of PLAN
etary disturbances, but this is merely guess
work. The most intelligent and reasonable
explanation is that the turning of the sod
u nds TO increase the moisture Of the atmOs-
phere, which, in its turn, produces clouds
and rain. The soil is sandy, and absorbs
the rainfall SO rapidly that the turf does not
retain it long enough 10 permit Of its cvap-
Grafton, and, when it has soaked through
once, the sod acts as shelter from the sun
and wind. That there are vast reservoirs
of water under the soil. held by the sub
stratas OF clay and sandstone, is shown by
the frequent springs and the success OF the
artesian well system. Flowing depriyes
these reservoirs of their turfy protection,
and the sun sucks the moisture back into
the air.
But all theories aside, the glad fact exists
is limited or abundant according to the cuI-
tivated area. The land that is now tit only
for pasturage, and incapable of bearing
crops without irrigation, will in time fur
Dish farms for those who have not already
been provided for, and the area that cannot
be titled will be comparatively small. The
'Great American Desert" which upon the
maps of forty years ago, stretched from the
British boundary to the Rio Grande. has
diappeared, and its area is now dotted with
ilourishing towns and fertile farms. The
portions Of Arizona and Utah which are to-
day considered irredeemable may, in like
manner, with the advancement of civiliza-
ton, prove the deception of appearances,
and demonstrates the wisdom of the Crea-
tor who formed nothing that is without
value TO man.