The National tribune., 1892-04-07

knowledge of the climate OF place Is q
matter OF the utmost consequence to health and
prosperity. Making note OF the passing phazes
of weather does not furnish the information
embraced in the term climate in the sense here
used. Such study or record Of daily and
monthly atmospheric phenomena constitutes
the science of meteoroogy, which aims to es-
tablish the laws controlling the forces and
movements Of the atmosphere.
Climatology seeks to apply the results OF me-
neurological investigation TO the operations and
conditions Of plant and animal life. From the
periodical record Of weather phenomena we
pass by more elaborate methods 10 the practical
application of results. The farmer is informed
how atmospheric changes affect the growth and
ripening Of certain crops in certain localities;
the horticul,urist why particular varieties of
fruit fail to reach maturity under certain pre-
vailjng conditions of rainfall, wind, and tenn
perature; those engaged in commercial pur-
suits the advantages and disad vantages of pre-
vaiing atmospheric conditions in any locality as
affecting trade or the development of any enter
prise likely to be influenced by such phenom-
ena; those seeking health the persistent weather
features of localities and their probable infu-
ence upon human life. 1t requires years Of
the most careful and conscientious observation
and investigation to establish basis for COM
petent and reliable deductions in the science
OF climatology. Tho many local influences In
any short period Of time must DO smoothed out
by extending the work of research. These pc
culiarities. however, must not be lost sight OF,
for they will be found Of great value when ade-
quately compared with normal conditions.
How often VIC hear the remark ow-a-days
that the climate is changing" The memory
fails to associate properly and fully all of the
elements in this question, because the task is
too great The science of climatology comes to
our aid and shows by actual records aud truthful
computations that the earth's atmosphere re-
mains unchanged, but that man and his mate
rial surroundings are undergoing constant
ID notification. In restricted sense the climate
does change because whenever these surround
iDgs are qualified to very large degree the
effect Of the atmosphere varies, although not
necessarily n the same proportion. Such Vari-
atoms may be temporary, permanent, or peri
odical. The removal OF forests over large
area have an important effect upon variations
Of temperature and evaporation. The eruption
of great volcanoes may produce far-reaching
effects upon the atmosphere, but such modifca-
tion5 while Of serious nature are not perma-
nent The health Of thousands of people may
become seriously endangered by miasmatic in
fuences, propagated and carried about through
the agency of the atmosphere. Such distress
ing situation may become permanent eli
matte condition and cause the region Of coun-
try 30 afflicted to be abandoned By its inhabit-
ants Remove the cause, usually stagnant
water, the superintendent air becomes pure
again and life is no longer endangered. "Vio-
lent fevers," says DR.. Bancroft, which were
considered as pestilential formerly prevailed at
Bordeaux and frequently compelled the Par
Lament to remove to other places. The Cardi-
nal de Sourdis, having formed just opinion of
the cause of these feyers, undertook to drain
very offensive marsh which then existed On the
west of the city. Accordingly two great canals
were dug by his orders, and at his expense, to
convey the stagnant water into the river, and
a fine causeway being erected over the infected
spot, and planted with rows of elm trees, the
plague, so called, ceased to appear" We may
expect similar beneficial results at Washington,
D. c., when the Potomac Flats" are reclaimed
from the foul debris and stagnant water that has
polluted the atmosphere Of the Capital City SO
many years, cost the lives Of many people, and
at times seriously affected the work of Congress.
ITO be continued.)