The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-07-05
Rainfall'S Steady DeCreae for Twenty
Years Back.
GRADUAL FALLING OFF
Weather Man Marbury Says Science
Has No Explanation.
NOW TWO YEARS BEHIND ON RAINFALL
1897 Threatens To Break All Previous
Records for Deficiency-Some
Figures.

n startling fact, but is supported by statis-
ties of the United States weather bureau.
If the record continues unbroken In less
than 100 yeans this viii be an arid desert
For the last forty years there has been
= gradual decrease in the rainfall. Up 20
ten years ago this was hardly noticeable
hut for the past eight years the deficiency
of rain has been So great as 20 be alarm
ing The number OF inches of rainfall last
year was but small per cent over nan
what Il was ten years ago.
The rapid decrease In rainfall began In
1888. That year the precipitation was Gb-
normally large. registering Gl9S inches me
next year IL was more than ten inches less
and has rapidly decreased until last year
the total rainfall was but 3il2 Inches
The normal rainfall IS 5l99 inches, or
fraction less than ifty-twO inches every
year. Estimating that 5l9 inches IS Inc
normal annual precipitation the world is
now over two years behind in her rainiau
assuming that last year is the new average
of yearly rainfall.
During M. past eight years only 354.5S
inches of water fell The normal rainfall
should have been 1852, or 6l.A Inches de-
ficiency during the eight years. Added 70
this startling deficiency is the deficiency
accumulated during the six months OF the
present year just closed. This deficiency
on June Goth amounted TO 7.A inches, which
added to the deficiency of the eight preccd-
ing vears amounts 70 GS.7S inches of water
vet due the earth by old Jupiter IluNluS'
This deficiency amounts 10 more than tNl''
the total rainfall of the past year, when
was but 3i12.
n the rainfall continues 20 decrease as
fast for the next twenty years as 1t mas
during the past eight years by the end OF
that period the old world will be as dry as
a hot brick.
No Known Reason Advanced.
This is a horrible picture to contemplate
bur the figures or the men employed py
the government TO keep daily record OF
every trace Of water mat falls from me
heavens show that tho rainfall Is decfeas-
ing and that II a change IN the tide does
not come soon this section Of the world
viii be a dry. rainiess piece Of dirt;
A close investigation has revealed ire
fact that there Is no known Sii, scieh''1'c ie'-
son for the abnormal condition.
Ii is simply an unparalleled freak 81 h"-
tur. which tho Wisest OF mortals has hcen
unable TO explain. Inc RECORD 81 t"i,'i, -
for the past forty years SHOWS thal " ~
time has there been anything 10 equal the
drying process Of the world. faIllti9
have complained Of the excessive 81 onEitS'
hut they have never thought thAt the ram
didn't fan At some season OF the year IL
Ias always boon thought that tire Cun Ten
al some season. and not until now mas tnS
shocking fact come TO light that the WoiIu
was drying NJ. -
This wear promises to eclipse any year
ia the recorded history 81 thN ".ii" az
To The present time the rdinial mas pteu
FAR below the average and the Idl4 o",n9
Of January and M1rch ie past -
rainfall for the remainder OF tho year Is
no more than ID has been during the CORE
sponding months OF the past few years,
tb.u 1907 VIII break the record for dry
weather. Last year broke atl
records hut this year mas STARCH ~ y,
smash even that of 1896. Inc Inohnl "l
May was the dryrst month OF May ever
recorded m this section, ana during tlo
month of June just closed The r4lhiAll N.'S
less than half the normal W tln ~,
feicucv of nearly eight inches staring the
people ir tho face they can hafaig i'Pt
for tho rai0f3ll 60 recover US h"ilaAl pei"re
tho close of tho present year
Eaw Long Before the World Dries UpP
The situation Is certainly one of interest
despite the awful prospect presented. II
IS am attractive but not "A pleasing study
to sit down and figure how long T. VIII
he before tho inhabitants of this sphere
VIII bee left without any thing to drink,
and the earth VIII Doe but "A piec" of parchcd
geology. u is 20 CHASTITY thought to think
that inside of fifty years the people may
bee numbering each other for e last drop
81 water For years it has been noticed
that the rivers have been drying mp. Wa
ter courses that once were nayigublc are
now mere sandy bottomed and barred
streams. When rain fails the waters
overflow tine banks of the river but ~ a
few days ID Us again the little Struggling
creek. This is ln part explained by the
cutting down OF the forests. but the same
explanation does not ht the ease ot da-
fIclout rainfall The large forests did hold
the fallen rain and help ID from rushing
into the streams, and 10y That means pre-
vented the a~"ds thHt To-Day menace The
country. bat those forests did not conduce
TO heavy rainfall
Mr. j. r. Narnury the local forecast or
fcial of the United States weather bureau.
was asked yesterday to explain the abpor-
NAL deficiency in the rainfall lle said That
there was NO reason Tor &c that could be
explained scientifically. tie could NOT exc
plain The tutusu1l and rapid decrease dur