Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-24
THE GREAT AMERICAN DESERT.

ID. c.. mon
THE GREAT AMERICAN DESERT.
Capt. G. e. Dutton Tells Of tho Won.
derful Resources Of tho West
| The lsr9s audience that assembled IN ne
Smithsonian lecture room st AIS Saturday A.
tsrnoon to hear Capt @. z Dutton Of the geo
logical survey on ''Ths future Of the great
west" was deeply interested By his popular
| manner OF treating the subject A long line Of
Industrious Indian warriors also looked down
upon the speaker from their portraits on the
wall, their spirits, if they have any, doubtless
burning with indignation that their lands had
passed to the possession Of another race.
CLIMATIC INFLUENCES.
Tho differences OF climate - 70 heat and
cold, aridity and humidity, the effects of lati-
tude and altitude and the advantage Of humid
over an arid climate were shown, although
1000 years ago arid countries had the most civ
Ilzed peoples and humid lands the greatest
savagtry. Four-tenths Of the area Of the
shown by line drawn parallel with the Miss
issippi through the central part Of Dakota, Ne
braska and Kansas and another parallel with the
racine coast through the central part Of WASH
ington and Oregon, the arid regions lying be-
tween them. The west has soil and water enough,
II properly used. to nurture immense populs-
lions ;though it does not as in the humid regions,
iai on the just and the Unjust. Irrigating waters
bring not only drink but saline substances that
are food to plant life, and thus make fertilizing
or the rotation of crops unnecessary. Most OF
the west is capable Of feeding population -
dense a. that Of Spain or Italy.
MINERAL RRsoURCEA
Although placer mining has passed away the
mineral resources OF this region are the richest
in the world and the surface of the earth has
hardly yet been scratched. Mining in the
mountains 10 Of slow development, brit the
output OF precious metals is steadily increasing.
Silver mining has become a great industry and
there are hundreds Of mines that only need
cheap transportation and production to make
them immensely profitable. There Is more
coal west OF the Mississippi than east of that
river, and, though Of an inferior quality. it is
suitable and sufficient for general purposes.
Iron east Of the Mississippi will be exhausted
before the coal necessary to smelt it The west
has vast supply Of iron ores and there are
mountains Of copper in Arizona, New Mexico
and Montana Only the expense Of transport
alton has prevented unlimited development
large.
OTHER PRoDuors
There are also vast pasture lands for sheep
and cattle, and, although maize is not adapted
to an arid climate, q valuable substitute has
been found in alfalfa, Of which from three to
five crops can be raised in season, each aver
aging from two to two and o half tons per acre.
The immediate Pacific coast has an equable
oceanic climate, suited to fruits Of the citrous
genus. Nevada is Of little value for agriculture.
In Washington and Oregon east of the Cascade
range, northern Idaho and Montana the climate
is more humid. but occasional failures Of crops
are certain. Montana IL the largest producer
OF the precious m Stals, not excepting Colorado
or California. Wyoming is mostly high coun-
farming. In the higher parts only rye and
barley are grown, but the territory is rich in
gold, silver and iron.
soMH pEcuIrARrrrts.
Arizona Is one Of the most remarkable terri
ritories. Although very hot and dry in general
the southwest il humid and the valleys can be
titled They are admirable for the grape,
olive, date, and all temperate fruits. The terri
tory has pasture lands and great mineral
wealth. Washington is one of the greatest
states. West Of the cascade the rainfall is the
heaviest in the United States, but east OF the
mountains IL is below the average. II has mild
winters and fine summers and is suited to agri-
culture. It has iron and coal deposits. The
density of the forests in Washington and Ore
gon, the immense size of the trees, with their
tops. piercing the sky, make solemn and i'm
pEoeo1fe sCchc. Oouto utcS 6fS stHi stduulIR
that we're adults when Columbus discovered
America. They afford the finest soft lumber,
but are almost too big to handle. At the presen.
rate of destruction by fire Washington and Ore
gon will be importing lumber in twenty-five
years.
WHAT THE WEST NEEDS.
When Capt Dutton said: "The west has re-
sources: what does she need2" and replied:
''An Anglo-Saxon people," he was greeted with
enthusiastic applause. The people eff the
north, he claimed, received their leaven from
Plymouth Rock The heterogeneous popula-
ton poured in from all countries does not re-
suit in an average, but given little time to
ferment becomes Anglo-Saxon (applausel-
like Aaron's rod devouring the rods Of the
Egyptian people,
In conclusion Capt. Dutton spoke of the
legislation needed to develop the west. Scan
you conceive he asked what legislation
would be necessary il it were possible for few
men to own the air you breathe?' Laws affect
ing the rights of property, life, liberty and the
pursuit OF happiness would be needed. II
man owns the water supply he is master Of the
situation. The people OF that country realize
that the water should be owned by no indi-
vldual, but by the public. The wonderful in
genuity OF the American people will bring q
solution. Once classed as desert the west is
becoming q garden, filed with q prosperous
and industrious people who will be slaves to
NO man. It will be the land of poetry and
song, and the best and strongest supports OF
the republic in which we live will be the states
OF the far west.