The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-29

heat by refraction that solar engines are
constructed. the rays of the sun being
multiplied by refraeting and converging
mirrors until they produce steam in boilers.
Having reduced the evaporation to its
smallest degree We have permitted the con-
denslng surface to increase to its greatest de-
gree; hence the moisture which is eVap-
GRATED would be precipitated over much
greater territory instead of upon the limited
region where forests grow at present. Here,
now, Is another principle involved. The
only water which trees or grass may absorb
is that which lies upon its surface long
enough to be absorbed. In rainfall the
percentage absorbed by the leaves is very
small. 1t may be said that as il reaches the
SOIL the greater part is absorbed by the
trees through the ground. Some scientists
in London, think, made some experiments
by planting trees in boxes. whose tops were
perforated to admit air. They weighed the
earth. also the water that was supplied, and
from the calculations made it was ascer-
talned that trees draw nearly all their
nutriment from the air by the absorption of
the leaves, the percentage from the earth
being extremely small.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.
In time we would fnd the fruits and grass
would reduce the water condensation Out
lessening the evaporation and making its
distribution more general to such degree
1t Would be just equal TO the requirements OF
vegetation, and the animal kingdom through
vegetation. Hence, since the leaves
may only utilize that which is slowly ac-
cumulated upon them, we would find that
the precipitation Of water would be i'll the
form OF dew, all over the world, each night
when the surface OF the earth is normally
the coolest Any excess of moisture in the
air would tend to increase the growth Of
woods, which would absorb this excess.
Any excess Of forests would tend to absorb
the moisture from the atmosphere and in
crease the absorbing capacity Of the atm0s-
phere in turn. So that air and foliage
would eventually reach a beautiful balance,
where Just sufficient would be evaporated
to meet the requirements of vegetation.
In the tropical region, where an excess of
moisture exists mot, however, because Of
geographical location but chiefly from an
other cause), the vegetation is Of the
most luXurlant character, in fact, an alb
normal growth, which in turn assists in the
formation OF an extremely dry air. aud re-
sultant tornadoes and hurricanes Thus
we ind extremes OF dryness aud moisture
existing within very narrow confines.
LOOKING AHEAD.
A truth is always at first a theory-that is
an Intuition or idea-until it has become
verified, by comparing the proposition it
sets forth with known facts. If it shall be
able to reply to all the questions put to it,
it is established, although sometimes its
replies are postponed for n greater aceumu-
lation of evidence. AS in the fields Of
astronomy, the successive steps of discovery
were engagements or extensions of the first
statement OF truths.
That man and woman, in dealing with
the material world, have produced some Of
the most stupend0us changes in their rela-
tion to the globe upon which they live is
admitted. That some of these changes have
been in the nature OF grave errors is also
admitted; but yet as an error may never re-
verse a truth. it only remains to refrain
from error in order to permit the truth to
be operative. SO it does not require that
the human family shall all engage in her
culture; it only requires that they shall re-
frain from destroying timber, when it will
be found that forests are again springing
up, the waving boughs and rustling leaves
are clustered on every slope and rains have
given place to refreshing nightly dews, not
for one period, but throug bout the entire
year. To other possible results growing
out Of the extension of forests again it
would be impossible in this article to refer,
but they would be of such magnitude
that the questions of civilization as to food,
clothing, protection and happiness would
be answered completely to each individual.
W. j. HARDWOOD.