Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-07-05
THE CAUSE OF DROUIHS
The Aridity Between the Missouri
and Rocky Mountains
SHOULD Be MADE A REGION OF RAIN
The Moisture IL Dissipsted ny thss Dry
AND Hot kexten - Trees Weu1e
Correct the Esii-frrigAtiea
IL Necessary.

ST. JosrrH. No, July S.-Ny last let
ter gave forecasts of the storm wave
due TO cross the continent from July
70 July 10. The next will be due TO
leave the Pacific coast about the 18th,
cross the Rocky lleghsny valley from
the 18th TO 18th, and reach the Atlantic
coast about the 10th. THIS storm viii
be IN its greatest force on the Pacific
coast and IN tie Rocky mountains on
the 18th and 18th. and viii take tho
southern route, causing cool weather
throughout the United States north
aud west of lie center. 1t will not be
of any great note. The periodical
great rainfall Will begin about the 18th
and continue throughout the month,
having its greatest effect about the
time the storm waves are due. VIII
give more particulars of tins RAIN period
IN my next letter.
Weather aud science Notes.
The aridity OF the country between
the Missouri river aud the Rocky
Mountains Is principal cause OF all the
drouths that occur between the Apala-
and the coast mountains on the west of
this continent. ana therefore all the
States IN the great lake region and
Those of rhe Mississippi and Missouri
valleys should become interested IN
turning the arid country into a region
of bountisui raanfalls.
The principal portion of the moisture
that goes 10 make up the rainfalls of
he 81 A no l.l nd la
Upper Missouri and Mississippi valleys
mus. come from the Gulf Of Mexico,
and III order TO reach the storm centers,
as they come frcm the Pacinc Coast,
that moisture must pass over the arid
district. In July ami August the sun
besming down on the sandy soil of the
plains, heats II very hot, and the hot ar
rising from II dIsslpates the moisture
moving inland from the gull, and winch
would GO into the storm cert,rs were Il
not for the heat OF these PLAINS. la or
der 60 cause ram tlie moisture must en-
ter the storm centers near the earth,
and when the heated air OF the plains
drives the moisture 10 nigh attitudes II
encounters the upper currents of aiflaat
are returning towarH the Gull OF Next
co. and thus the storm centers are
robbed of the necessary moisture which
wonld otherwise cause rams IN the
Western States and territories and the
Middle States west of the Al-eghenies.
1t trees could be made TO grow ON
the arid plains. and were literally cul-
t.vated. they would break the effect of
the sun ON the sandy soil, thereby pre-
venting the rising hot currents OF AR
which dissipates ard drives the moist
ure hack To the gulf.
But trees will not grow without water.
and IN the hot months large scopes OF
country in the arid districts are desii-
tnte of water. and the only way 10 OBJ
tam sure supply Is 10y irrigation, and
this is of such vast importance 10
very large portion OF the United states
that the National Government ought 10
aid in the matter.
In Colorado, where irrigation is al
ready well perfected, people do not
want ram. for il often INJURIES their
crops, but they are probably short
sighted IN one particular. The timber
is icing rapidly destroyed IN the Rocky
Mountains, and II tins IL permitted TO
continue the mountain streams Will
soon fail 10 furnish water for irrigation
during the hot months. Large tracts
of these mountain lands belong 10 the
Government, ard IL the timber could
be protected and reservoirs made 10 Te-
tam some of the water that runs TO
wasie In tue spring months, all the arid
districts could be we'll irrigated and
growth Of trees secured on the plans.
But this can not be accomplished by
the mountain states and territories
alone. and little Investigation viii
convince the greater portion 81 the
states that il is the duty of the general
government 10 give literal aid - irri-
CATION. This accomplished and the
occasional drouths IN the more fertile
states viii become Ices frequent and
less severe. ". i. FOsTIR.