The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-17
MOISTURE VS.. hot WINDS"

To the Editor Of the Eagle:
In your issue of the 1st of October we
endeavored to show that moisture" in
some form, is the antidote to ''hot winds
on the plains. Science and practical OBJ
servation compel such a conclusion, and
until this position is strongly assailed
and overthrown. it seems useless to dwell
on it.
The eight and the heavy showers
that fall, the vapory clouds that move
northward from the tropics, the south
east wind that comes to Us laden with
vapOr, the lakes and the ponds. the cool.
moist air of the rivers and creeks, and
and the changed air that comes TO us on
the streets as the ''street sprinkler"
passes, all point to water as the remedy
for the aridity of this plain belt. With
proper surface moisture the fury of the
winds will be stayed; gentle and more
frequent showers will be seen and the
hot winds will disappear And, as a re-
suit, these rich lands, ocean-swept for
ages, and now brought TO the light and
heat f the sun. will grow the grain 10
feed the seething, surging masses, who
are to dwell in the United States.
1t is not necessary for us to agree as to
how these hot winds arise, provided we
can agree on the remedy. If he can
agree on the means to put out the fire, -
then if he choose he may speculate As to
its origin. But the practical thing to do,
if possible, is to reach an agreement on
the means to be employed" or entirely
overcome such hot winds.
To me these hot winds owe their origin
10 the heated condition of the earth in
midsummer on the plain belt north of
the line of thirty degrees, north latitude,
whenever and wherever there is a def
cheney of surface moisture 10 supply the
needed vapor 10 properly satuaate the
air. Such air. when not properly satur-
ated, as stated before, begins to moore
northward in space to secure an equili-
brium of temperature and saturation.
And in this wild and weird marsh. por-
ton of the moisture of all crop life passes
to the air to aid in its saturation!
But suppose that the theory we hold
should prove 10 be an erroneous one.
what difference will it make, provided
that water or Surface moisture" in
some form. will neutralize the baleful
effects of these winds:
If he can agree on that he'll 'cure the
disease then he will have made one
grand step forward, and soon he shall
agree on the steps 70 be taken IL has
been estimated that one half of the lands
of the United States are arid IN the
character. Say 600, 900, 900 acres. OF
these lands perhaps one-third may be
classed as ''sub-arid" lands, or lands on
which there Is an unusual rainfall Of
from five 10 gfteen inches. Almost
enough moisture here II properly hUs-
banded 10 mature a good crop. But such
is the nude character Of the country that
much Of this rain fall of May and June
escapes quickly into the ravines and
creeks and out into the larger streams to
and IN inundating the low lands of the
rivers.
As quite large portion OF the sub
arid lands lie between the Missouri river
and the Rocky mountain chain, ve have
an inviting field IN which 20 begin the
conquest Of these lands Here nature
comes 10 our aid often IN copious show
ers- Here. by reason OF the great uplift
Snd altitude Of the continental divide. We
have the rains and melting SHOWS brought
almost at right angie across the pain
belt
To not mention the rivers Of tbs Up .