The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-23

crop life viii pass to the air to aid in the
saturation-
Let it not be forgotten that as we ascend
in space the air by reason OF lower
temperature IS already supplied with
vapor. Hence we are compelled to COZ
clude that the only body of air that needs
artificial saturation is that Strata that
rests Immediately on the earth. At pres
ent the precise thickness of this belt IS not
known, but that il is at most butsa few
hundred feet in thickness Is evident from
the fact that by sunset the cold air from
above presses down on the earthS surface
and the nights are cool
If we would get clear idea of the value
OF the various appliances proposed we
should not overlook the law of saturatiOu
itself. We refer to that law BY which
vapor, after it has been manufactured in
natures most wonderful labratOry difuses
itself in tue tiDny meshes of the air. This
law we hold acts mainly in a horizontal
direction. We can not stop 10 inquire
whether this law of a lateral saturatiOn
Is the result or the pressure of the armOS-
phere above aided by gravity and perhaps
the electrical currents which move around
the earth. Be this as it may. one thing is
certain, viz: That the vapor from the
small pond steals its way along the earth s
surface in that portion of the air which Is
first expanded by the heat OF the earth
and which has thus been fitted for its re
cepcion.
By bearing these facts and laws of our
physical globe in mind we shall be better
prepared TO understand the value OF the
appliances which may from time TO time
be recommended to overcome this aridity
of the plains.
APPLIANCES
What shall they be? In q previous
article we have drawn attention TO the
wisdom and necessity of artificial lakes.
made at the expense OF the general govern
ment. Such lakes can oe made at com
paratively small expense and thus garner
up the waste water of the mountains and
freshets. These lakes TO be of some size
and supported by artesian water if need Oe.
This suggestion has been recommended by
eminent men. Again, he called attention
TO a system of small lakes, or farm ponds,
the work of individual enterprise, fostered
perhaps, by law allowing an annual Re-
bate on lakes and by a provision of con
gress, which bill allows the settler who
will construct and maintain such a lake on
his land TO prove up on the same in four
years instead of five years, homestead
time.
If but one settler in three could be pre-
vailed on to construct such a pond on his
land of but one acre, by either placing a
low dam in a creek or spring branch or
otherwise, we should have from this source
alone water surface of 600 miles in length
and more than two miles in width while
the lakes made on this sub-humid belt east
of the mountains would equal quite half
as much more.
Your attention was called, briefly, TO a
proper irrigating system, where the water
could be procured, as an important means
to this end. In some places the water
from the mountain stream can he diverted
and carried eastward down a divide, and
the use of the water in the month of July
would be worth quite as much TO increase
the vapor of the air as for its local crop
benefits. Such a system would aid much
to give the water needed.
To broaden out this field of appliances
and to enable each individual farmer on
these prairies 10 suggest to himself how
he can best conduce to the desired end, we
would say that each farmer can do some
thing for himself and for the public good
by so managing his lands that the largest
supply of moisture and shade can be had
As moisture is the antidote 10 hot
winds" then it is evident that each farm
that is managed with view 10 the best
supply of moisture possible will contribute
much
Not to enter into detail. it can be safely
stated that all the land not broken should
Dc kept well covered with grasses TO shade
he earth, sponge the rain and snow, and
c vast reservoir of liquidity' from
which vapor will almost constantly ascend.
L is safe TO affirm that by keeping the
prairie fires from the land six
spears of grass will grow where one
low grows. The prairie fire not only de
troys natures covering for the land. but
t heats the surface and DESTROYS the fine
cots and thus opens up the ground to the
Wind, the fierce rays of midsummer's sun 1
md reduces the grass TO a stunted growth /
mainly from the strong, deep /
,ulb roots. Nor is this all for in thus |
opening the cover to the land the grass /
an no longer sponge and hold the water /
md it flows quickly out of the country. |
Forty acres of hand well covered with ma
i've or cultivated grasses will furnish .
more moisture to pass TO vapOr than 30 .
ores burned over annually or trampled to .
eath with too much stock on il. And it
will produce rs much food for stock as l6] (
ores of land laid bare. The farmer who
wishes to succeed with grass, should, after
Re cuts his hay, allow the hay on the land
n which the lighted grass, to remain on il /
o cover it and there decUmpose. In the
asst ten days alone, there has fallen on
oklahoma quite eight inches Of water.
lad these lands not been laid bare by fire
Or years, but on the contrary been kept
Overed with grass il is safe TO affirm that
) per cent of this waterfall would have
assed into the land, whereas much Of it
assed into the rivers and out of the
ountry.
Again, very much humidity is obtained
rom land put under a deep and thorough
ultivatiOn. Land thus cultivated not
My produces much better. but il stores
nj holds much more moisture for crop
fe and to aud in making the country more
umid. Much. very much, can be accom- ,
lished by individual effort, aud at the
anne time pay the farmer "A hundred fold
.ach farmer should struggle to keep his
lnds as moist As he can.
Again, trees should be planted out and
n each farm where trees Will grow. there
Mould be not less than 100 feet Of land
long the south line of the farm. dedicated
} timber. TO stay the wind, and furnish
made and leaves Had the governments in
ne past, or could it be persuaded now. to
e apart but One-fOurth of "A mile Of land
width. extending east and west. cOntiu-
Ously through the townships such tim
er belts 10. be not more than six miles
pare. north and south. giving 70 the set
ers the right and title 10 "A small piece / 4
] condition Of the cultivation Of the tim
er. much could be accomplished True. Z
mber will not grow TO do any good unless
lere j. quite twelve 70 fifteen incne. an /
ual rainfall. but il will grow with ad-
ancing settlements on much Of these ,
aims.
Again. the enterprising railroad com
lnies that have invested 50 largely in (
their lines Of roads across
lese lands. have a deep interest in any I
Ovement looking 70 an increase 81 {
lmidity. The companies can do mucn I
many ways TO aid in this work A. they
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