Omaha daily bee., 1888-09-18
HOT WINDS IN KANSAS.
MIR. Charles Franci Adams Offers a
Theory AbOut Them.

MIR. Charles Francis Adams Offers a
Theory About Them.
Kansas City Times: In traversins
during the last week the whole of the
state OF Kansas from its western to its
eastern border, l regretted again to OBJ
serve the destructive effects of the hot
southern wind or the corn crop. l had
seen the same thing n year ago in Ne
braska, but then il was intensified by n
sever drouth, the effects of which
were felt as far east as Illinois and Indi-
ana. The destruction wrought by the
hot southern wind has this year been
confined apparently to western Kansas
and to the southern half of the eastern
portion of the state, and that. too, dur
ing a season of at least average rain
fall.
During the journey / was in company
with several men who had given more
or less careful attention to the causes
as well as the effects of these period
zeal burning winds. They n and all
expressed IL confident belief, which
seems to be founded in reason. that
these destructive siroccos, which APP
parcntly destroy n regular fixed per-
eentge of the Kansas corr crop, are
due to the unsettled condition of the
territory lying south and west of the
STATE. If so, it is an additional and DO
tent argument in favor of the early
opening of the Indian territory.
The theory they advance is as follows:
Originally the whole country west of
the Missouri river was one vast rolling
plain, which had for centuries been
burnt over by fire and trodden by buffalo
until the surface Of the soil was some
what of the nature of a tile. From this
the water flowed rapidly off into the ra-
vines and then to the Missouri river.
There was no more capacity for absorp-
ton in the soil han there is in the roof
of a church. The radiation of heat
from this tile-likc surface was also
about the same as it is from the root of
a church. Accordingly, rs the prevail
ing winds passed over this vast baking
and radiating surface, they became
heated to a higher and higher degree
until they withered up every green
thing with which they came in contact.
1t was like a draft Of air across iron ra-
diators.
AS agriculture crept west from the
Missouri river, this tile-like plain has
been broken'up, and fields of growing
crops have taken the place of the buff
falo grass. The soil now not only holds
the rainfall, but the fields of growing
crops, especially of corn, protect the
earth from the constant burning rays of
the sun, aud generate GOODNESS as we'll
rs moisture. .
AS yet the area of agriculture has
stretched only n limited distance west,
and toward the south it is put a stop to
by the Indian territory. That territory
remains in its primal condition, and,
together with the Panhandle of Texas,
constitutes a vast radiating surface over
which, in its heated condition, the
prevailing winds of summer pass
and her strike the south
ern border of Kansas. Here
they come in contact with the growing
crops, especially of corn. and they burn
and wither these up until the sirocco
becomes cooled by passing over the
artiticially tempered area. Accordingly
this summer. the hot winds seem to
have traversed only the western and
southern portions of Kansas, there de-
stroying the crops, but losing thir de-
structive force before reaching the
northern and eastern tiers of counties.
If this theory is correct, and, as |
have said, it seems founded on both eX-
p%erience and reason, the conclusion is
evident that there will be no perman-
ent stop put TO these burning siroccos,
and the consequent destruction of Il
regular though somewhat decreasing
percentage of Kansas crops, until the
Indian Territory is opened to c%ultiva-
| a. -.l H. l,l-,.~ 81 ..1...:- -.
IlOl anu blc UthluS anu IuIldJlnp rut-
face TO the south and west broken up.
AS it is, Kansas is still the pioneer
state, with the old ti%le-covered plain
stretching out beyond it. Farmers of
western and southern Kansas occupy.
therefore, much the position of a per-
manent front rank in the line of battle,
sure always to take the fire. Behind
them rest in security the northern
tier of counties OF the state and the ad-
joining state of Nebraska.
| do not for a moment profess to be an
expert in ~meteorology. Nevertheless,
being much struck with this theory ad-
vanced by others, | beg leave to sug-
gest it to you. | would lie, at least, to
see a question of such Importance pub
licly discussed, in order that the truth
may be elected. l remain, ETC.,
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.