Arizona silver belt., 1894-03-10
TaE towEEL GIFT ro HAwvsRD cen.
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Gna Csusty's Eligible site for an o6scr.
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least of all m that of scientific research. This is true of all countries. But America, with characteristic enthu. siasm, coupled with capability, is dis tancing the other communities, Thi. fs due to the spirit eugeudered in our seats of highest learning. The uniyor. sites have done much, Harvard more than any other.
 Phe latest move in that direction is the establishment of an observatory in Arizona. Mir. Lowell, taking his in- spiration from Prof Edward c. Pick ering, who Is directing head of liar yards astronomical department, has offered to provide funds for the expe- tlition. It is thought the cost of the expedition will exceed $50, GOO the first year The apparatus necessary has Been gathered together, and Prof. William H, Pickering brother of Director Pickering, has been placed in charge. Assistant Prof. N. E. Dong las has already gone to Prescott, where he will make tests with a six inch tel escope and from there go to Phoenix, Tucson and other places to find sui table location.
 The selection of Arizona for the loca- lion of the Lowell observatory is a rec ogHition of the superior atmospheric conditions which obtain in our Terri tory. There is probably no portion of the world where the skies are clearer at all seasons of the year, and the climate more favorable to the uninter- rupted pursuit of scientific inyestiga- tion, especially in the field of astronomy.
 At the same time, Arizona is a conn. try of great contrasts, and certain To- ealities and sites present advantages over others as marked as does Arizona over other sections of the United States. Northern Arizona, by reason of ies severe winter climate, heavy snows and susceptibility to the sudden and frequent atmospheric changes of the more northern States, is less desir- able for the study of celestial phenome- na than portions of Southern Arizom. But here, too, we fntf different degrees of,adsptabihty. There are many prom fneHt peaks in Southern Arizona, some of which rise abruptly from the sur- founding plain and command survey of the entire heavens. The fiat desert country on either side of the Southern Pacific railroad Is, however, swept by high winds which fill tho air with sand greatly hindering visual work even at considerable elevation
 An importsut consideration in estab- fishing an observatory is thl accessi- bflity or ease of ascent to the site se- lected Ysry few of the mountains of Central and Southern Arizona, eligible in other respects, are easy of ascent. There has been no incentive to the construction of mountain roads save where timber aboouds nnd is easily and cheaply procured, and few localities in Arizona, within fifty miles of rail. Toad, can compete with California and Flagstaff in the sale of lumber in this Territory.
 Therefore nearly all the mountains favorable for astronomical observation are in their virgin state and iuaccessi- bie without large expenditure for road construction. There are, also, other advantages which alocation of an obser- vatory should possess, among which is a'more or less level area, giving room Hof only for the necessary buildings, but affording expanse for drives and walks and il di7ersifed by trees. shrubs, flowers and grass, and watered by living springs, 80 mnch the better, all of which contribute to the comfort and the pleasure of the officers in charge. It is indispensable to an astro- domical station that it be in communi- cation by telegraph with the parent institution where the work is planned ! and published
 All these conditions duly considered, ! shere is no more desirable location for the proposed Harvard observatory than the summH of Piual mountain. The altitude is 7,675 feet, about 4,OO0 feet Higher than Globe, and easily reached f by two good wagon roads, constructed i 10 within seven hundred feet in height of the greatest elevation and which could be completed, by easy grades, at a spnominal expense. The central area of the summit, together with it's various spurs, form comparatively level ex- panse of several miles in extent and affords many points of vantage for wis., ual exploration.
 The surface is in places we'll tim bered and ID others bare, while there is aprofuse growth of towering plants, grasaes sRd shrubs, and comprised within Che centra. area are many acres of fertile land stfapted to cultivation. Two springs of pure wster flow perpet- aally, furnishing drink for man and beast. Lumber for building purposes.