The National tribune., 1892-01-21

The probable extent and severity OF this
dreaded visitor throughout the agricultural
districts OF the country is each season cOntem-
plated with much anxiety By all interested
people. The time OF its appearance and how
long it Will remain, add much 70 the specula-
tiOn as to the probable effect upon tho staple
crops Of the country. There have been many
attempts made by the manipulation of records
10 settle upon periodicity in the occurrences OF
drought, and thus afford some basis for reliable
forecasting. From this method OF study IA
vOrabe results have not followed perhaps
from the lack of records Of sufficient length,
but quite as likely from the fact that the plan
is intrinsically faIlaejous. IL is sort Of Jug
glsry with figures. having only the semblance
Of scientific reasoning.
The amount of rainfall ia not by any means
the only element to bo considered in discuss
ing the nature and effect Of drouth On the
contrary, it has been found necessary also TO
take account of the amount Of sunshine, the
degree Of evaporation, the direction and
strength Of the wind, the variability and ex-
tremes OF temperature. the average amount Of
clOudiness, the humidity Of the atmosphere
the character Of the soil, mode Of cultivation,
the character Of plant growth, aud the proxim-
ity Of large bodies Of water. All Of these ele-
ments require 90 be carefully studied from a
long series Of accurate observations The Ag-
ricultural Experiment Stations will furnish
considerable Of this material, but the bulk Of it
must probably come from the T. s. Weather
Bureau. The data already available is sufi-
cient for attaining valuable results and the sub
jeet is being investigated.
The drOughty season is not the same for all
parts Of the country. Generally speaking the
Winter is not a critical period in this con-
nectiOn, especially where the precipitation
which occurs falls as snow Yet the depth Of
snow on the ground and the time during which
il remains is a matter Of great importance to
the protection of crops planted in the Autumn
which mature tine following Summer. In ati-
tudes where the precipitation falls as rain
during the Winter, as in Florida, along the
Gulf Coast, and in southern California, drought
may become severe at this season. For the
majority Of the country the drought period in
cludes Summer and Autumn, the most critical
period Of plant growth, and therefore the most
important to the interests Of the agricultural
lists and those dependent upon their pros
perity.
1t win prove Of great aid to those engaged in
the study Of this subject under the auspices Of
the Government if all persons engaged in re-
porting upon the condition Of crops be very
careful TO state accurately the effect Of drought
upon the different kinds Of plant growth, what
change in development, the character of the
sell, the mode and thOroughnes5 Of cultivation,
the greatest number Of consecutive days with
out rain, the condition of the sky as to extent
of clOudiness, the dryness Of the air, the di-
reetiOn and force Of the wind. the exact date of
last rain. and amount, and the date and con-
ditiou5 under which the drought terminated.
II all of these points cannot be covered, then as
many as possible should be given.