Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-05-19
THE INCREASE OF STORMS.

1t does not seem possible any longer to
question the assertion that violent storms
are increasing in number and intensity.
Doubtless that increase is far less than the
imagination, filled with pictures of recent
ruin and forgetful of the past, would sug-
gest. Still, we can hardly doubt that it Is
real. This season they have been I'm.
usually numerous and destructive. The
summer months have not yet begun. and
there is scarcely section of this country
which has not borne it's blow From al
most every state has come, at one time or
another, report of ruin, while the hur-
ricanes Of this week have covered the
whole of the great middle belt of the
continent as far east as Pennsylvania.
And as if to show that no special cause,
but some great general influence were at
work, the very latest report of the tornado
details it's ravages IN Spain. What can be
the cause underlying this vast demonstra-
ton must be subjec for interesting con-
lecture. There is not as yet even tenable
hypothesis. From such effects as were
wrought at Sank Rapids we turn away
completely mystifcd. But when these
storms begin to put their deadly girdle
around the earth entire, it seems that we
ought to find at least some plausible
speculation. There is none.
The electrical accomplishments are too
ynI 10 1o1 o1,o
it has been suggested that the enormous
increase of machinery, upon every belt
and pulley of which electrical energy is
constantly accommodating and passing on
to storage in earth, or air, together with
the multiplication of electrical circuits
tor which the earth acts rs ground wire.
may have some causativc connection
with these atmospheric phenomena.
The conception Of the earth as a
vast Leyden jar. at whose discharge
the, clements are convulscd, is an in
tcresting one. but too fanciful. 1t can
hardly receive substantial support from
science. Beyond such guesses there is
little to be said. But there is one thing
that we do know, one disturbing in
fluence which we have done our best to
accelerate, 1t has passed beyond ques-
ton that the progress of forest destruc-
ton is an important factor in the produe
ton of climatic excuses. The increas-
ing denudatlon of the earth's surface
tends to make extreme changes. The
reot-filled reservoirs of the soil do not
retain rainfall to be doled out as vegeta~
ton needs, but the bare earth alternately
bakes under the sun and sheds the storage
of the clouds into destructive torrents.
The moisture of the air is not drawn out
gently. but is accumulated until it rushes
down in fierce sheets. Temperature is
not graduated to suit the requirements
of animal and vegetable ife but fierce
heats and freezing cold destroy the
equability of a temperate cline. The
million electrical conductors which ex-
listed IN every leaf of the forest are with
drawn; and the consuming energy, like
heat and moisture, is accumulated until
it vents itself in explosions. Whatever
be the first or final cause of the storms
which now draw to themselves attention
never given before, they find an effectual
aid and promoter in the telling of our for
ests. The economic advantages of forest
preservation have been admitted in theory
and spurned in practice. Perhaps the sub
iect will command a better allegiance
when we are made to understand that
we are not only cutting from under
us visible sources of wealth, but are adj
ding annually to the resources OF the
dreaded tornado. Press.