The National tribune., 1892-01-14
THE WEATHER.
Rainfall. I,It Increasing or DsereaslnEI

BY LIEUT.. j. p. FINLEY, U. 8. SIGNAL SERVICE.
correspondence invited, suggestions desired
and information eheerfully furnished. Every ef-
fort employed 10 make this Bureau Of practical
to our readers. All communications should be adj
dressed-Vealher IHE NATIONAL TEIBUSE Office,
Washington. ID. CT
Many questions have been asked recently
relative TO the variation Of atmospheric pre-
eipitation in localities aud generally over the
country. The occurrence and distribution Of
rain and snow bear q very important relation
to the welfare Of all mankind. Agricultural
and commercial interests are fast becoming so
extensive and valuable in this country that
more accurate and complete statistics of rain
and snow are demanded to protect those inter-
ests. The great irrigation problem is agitating
the Western country, and all people interested
in the reclamation Of the arid region find that
an accurate knowledge Of the rainfall Of any
section Of country under consideration is indis-
pensable to adequate and satisfactory prepare
ton for the development Of any irrigating sys-
tenn.
Where systems of irrigation are already in
operation. the question Of water supply hinges
on the variability Of atmospheric precipitation.
III people could have years ago foreseen the
vital importance of this matter, more atten-
ton would have been paid to the taking of
observations, charging the number of stations,
and the early commencement of the records.
Rainfall is such alocal element and 50 readily
affected by surrounding conditions of tOpO-
graphy, temperature, wind direction, and
evaporation that the value of records Of obser-
walton in determining the variability and dis
tribution of precipitation must depend almost
entirely upon their length, assuming, of course,
that the work has been accurately performed.
The longest records of which we have any
knowledge in this country fail TO show any
permanent change in the more important me-
HrF1w 1.rFN g.
cipitatiOn. If this be true, then why so much
discussion about changes ia climate and the
prOductivcness Of the soil in various parts of
the country
The solution lies In the fact Of the enormous
notifications OF the original conditions of the
surface Of the country through the instrument
tality of agricultural and commercial enter
prises. We have no evidence of any essential
change i'm the heat of the sun or in the at
mospheric envelope inclOsing the earth, but
there is abundant testimony on every hand
that the surface Of the earth has materially
changed in its primitive relation to the atmOs-
phere through the efforts of man.
On the virgin soil of the western prairies the
rain which fell, either gently or in torrents,
ran of as from ducks back" being unable
| to penetrate the stiff sod and reach the parched
| soil. The growth of vegetation was therefore
I stunted and devoid Of nutrition. The drain
upon the strength Of the subsoil was not severe ;
consequently covering of short grass and
| lunches Of shrubs were maintained over the
/ general level Of the country, while in the val
/ leys and along the creek bottoms the growth
| of vegetation was much heavier, and trees Of
| considerable size were developed. The water
t drained down into the valleys and dry
creeks" became IN a night raging rivers de-
stroying life and property. The bulk of this
water was carried OIL to the sea, washing away
the land. forming precipitous cliffs, great can
/ yons and yawning gulehes.
! Man comes upon the scene of partial desola-
tion and nnproduetiS eness, breaks away the
/ impenetrable covering of the soil, the clouds
| give down of their fullness, which the earth
/ drinks with ayidity, and behold what richness
of vegetation springs forth and covers the once
desert region. The atmosphere remains the
same, but man has changed the surface of the
+ earth upon which il rests; hence the resultant
variations in climatic conditions and plant life.