Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-07-24
best calculated to accomplish this pur-
pose? These questions I will attempt to
answer in my next article.

pose? These questions I will attempt to
answer in my next article.
HOW TO PREVENT THEM
First. Congress at its next session
should pass a water land act whereby
all government lands Of dry lakes, and
as far as may be necessary, all dry land
depressions suitable for water basins,
and also dry waterways should be with
drawn from sale, and these with all lands
and waters in the form of lakes and
water courses of whatever name be-
longing to the national government in
all the states of the Union should be
set aside as reservoirs and government
waterways, in such a manner or to such an
extent that they shall be protected and
utilized as moisture feeders of the
atmosphere. And all states should pass
similar laws as regards state lands and
waters.
Second. By proper daming as far as
practical, all such "water lands should
be converted by the government into
reservoirs, or moisture basins.
Third. Where natural depressions
are insufficient for needed moisture
feeders" the national government
should construct basins or reservoirs to
serve the same purpose; these "water
lands" to have their supply from rains,
melted snow or surplus from any a%ttaina-
BILE source.
Fourth. Where sufficient water can
be obtained in no other convenient way,
artesian wells should be sunk where
needed and allowed to flow and fill said
"water lands" all over the vast extent of
territory named above; said wells to be
built by the general government, under
proper laws and restrictions. Thus with
the rain from the sky and the supply
from beneath the earth, ample amount
Of surface water can be procured for the
ends in view. The results would be
most favorable:
The hot winds, according to the best
light now had upon the subject, would
cease to operate; dews would be gener-
ated; the atmosphere by evaporation
would be surcharged with humidity. and
rainfalls would become abundant.
And with a necessary supply of mois-
ture from the sources named in connec-
ton with judicious application of the
same, needed forests could be success
fully raised in long, wide and extensive
belts on mountains, hills and plains,
where they could best serve their useful
purposes as fuel and lumber and IN
breaking and modifying the winds and
storms; in maintaining springs, furnish.
ing water supply to artesian deposits far
in the deeps Of the earth, feeding the
water courses and in promoting precipi-
tations for the benefit of vegetation.
And in addition to these things their
economic functions would be seen in
that forests constantly evaporate clouds
OF tiny vapors so the hot winds are cooled
in their passage in the same way, but
perhaps to a less extent, as in their
movement over lakes and streams. Here
we have instructive lessons. Irrigation,
meteorology and forestry, in harmonious
action, and all tending to produce milder
and more favorable atmospheric and
climatic conditions.
1t will take time and money to achieve
the ends in view, but rs those reforms
are absolutely necessary and of the most
practical utility, who can have doubt of
their final accomplishment? In order to
hasten the great and beniicent work,
every possible encouragement and aid
should be rendered by the government,
state, and indiaidual. Thus with other
needed improvements, all the sub-humid
lands of the west will be fully developed,
and u own dear state will become the
Eden harvest land of the nation, the
happy result of the scientific wisdom of
an enlightened and progressive people.
NaughtOn Notes.
mi