Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-01-31
TREES AND THE AIR
Foster Explains Their Relation
to Each Other.
WHAT THE WEATHER Is TO BE
February and March Forecasted-Mr.
Foster Goes Into the Question OF Re-
deeming Arid Lands.

ST. JOSEPH, No., Jan. 20.-My lat
letter gave forecasts OF the storm wave
due to cross the continent from Feoru-
airy 1 to 5, and the next will tie due to
reach the Pacific coast about Febiutry
5, cross the western mountains by the
close of February 8, the great central
valleys from February to 8. aud the
eastern states about February 10. This
storm will be of about even force dur
ing its five days journey across the
continent. The coolest part OF the cold
waye will follow about two days be-
hind the storm center, and it will prob
ably be coolest in the western noun
tains about Eel ruary 8, IN the grea.
central valleys about February 10, and
in the eastern states about February
IL. No sudden warm wave may be ex-
pected that will long continue IN Feb
ruary, but after February 10 the wealth.
er will gradually grow warmer till
about March IL, when 1t will be unusu-
ally warmer. After that the tempera-
ture will not greatly increase until at
ter April 10. No general thaw will oc-
cur north Of SO during February.
Trees and tho Weather.
The time for tree planting is not far
away, and this is an appropriate time
for discussing the effects OF trees on
climate. The questionlls OF greatest
interest to agriculture-uslng that
term in its broadcast sense, TO include
everything that grows from the soil
and is cultivated by mainland in their
gatherings this should be one of the
foremost questions for discussion
among the cultivators of the soil. But
other Industries are greatly interested
in the improvement OF our Climate.
and especially are they interested III
preventing our Climate from retro
grading and falling into that blight
which is seen IN the great sahara
and the Cob, specimens OF the herl-
tage that awaits the great MissIs-
sippi valley if we continue TO follow
the course VIC are now pursuing. IL we
can imagine what country would he
without agriculture, We can thereby
estimate the relative value OF agrIcui-
ture as compared with the other INDUS
tries. Take away any one OF the other
industries and this country would con-
tinue to prosper. but rob it of agrcul-
ture and what would remain? III We
should lose every other industry. itay-
iug only agriculture, We would still re-
tam millions OF prosperous inhabitants,
for it 10 possible for farmers to live en-.
iirely independent of every other in-
dustry.
Destruction OF Agriculture
In time agriculture will be destroyed
In the United States as il was destroyed
nSpaia 500 or COO years ago and hy
III q very same means which are now
Oh ligcntly ut work IN this country aud
hich already begins to tel with fear
fnl effects in the frequent recurrence
of drouths where formerly they were
almost unknown. Such catastrophe
would destroy every industry. Feeling
the great importance OF this question
and discerning the inevitable destruc.
ton of agriculture that u approaching
with sure aud steady step,
must. on the approach of tree planting
time, continue TO discuss the impor.
lance of natures groves, so long a.
afn engaged In discussing thr weather.
the tendencies OF cuitivatlng the sol
are IN the direction of destroying the
climate by decreasing the rainfall. an /
no instance can be cited when TINS has
not been the result. The Kansas State
university has been teaching the re-
verse OF this. Land spectators were
largely interested IN disposing o. ldni
on the western plans. AMI Il nee the
theory promulgated from ths state
univefe " that. because 81 the CGltiya.
ton OF the soil IN Kansas an8 Ne
braska, the ram helt vas nioy ng west.
ward at the average rat, o. ten miles a
year.
Psrnietoss Fasiaey.
This was most pernicious fsllscy
for IL Induced thousands OF nssa wIta
their families 30 invest the whole OF
their ssiall means IN land. on the west.
efn plans. Many OF these were old
soldiers OF tn lnion army. who. hav.
ing fsliei in banness. took claims or
those hsgrea upsnds of the westers
plans, believing the statements 81 thai
GREAT institution OF learnlng. thas col
AVIATION % the soh on thos tleas
lfaifies. OF rather deserts. would assure
sas,icsent rainfall - mature GOO eTops
! know Of thousands Of eossd people. 81
quite limited means. who wrfe mssied
sad ruined BY tbst false theory thai
cultivation viii increase rslniaii. ane
Use ksosss state university drs*fs' q
- fspF msnaed by pab'e sentiasnt fo'
permitting ere 81 rs ieadlag nfofe.
sars 20 propagate safh theory
Nlee tAis Theory wss afss gwen oat
the npiaHd, IL tiss western psuIs bses
ices trlfe aspoeaisltd ~ Efesl
afealhs sui kot ei0ds. sna th4s epf.di
is8a 81 ara4s naasi eontsGas Is the