Mohave County miner., 1900-07-21
A Dithyramb of the Desert.

Perhaps William E. Smythe may be
q little too enthusiastic in describing
the future glories of the arid regions
Of the United States, but what he says
Of them and their vast capabilities in
his late work, 'The Conquest of Arid
America" can scarcely fail to kindle
in the eye Of the observer kindlier
gaze as he speeds by rail across the
shadeless plains and desert stretches
between the Missouri river and the
Pacific, IL even but a moderate sharer
in the hopeful views of Mr.. Smythe, he
must feel that under him are passing
the great treasure reserves of the Re
public, and that there is renewal of
youth in the very air he is breathing.
What may generally be designated as
the arid region of the United States is
mapped by Mr.. Smith az embracing all
the territory west of tine ninety seventh
meridian. The line passes through
the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Okla
homa and Texas. 1t divides the area
where assured rainfall ends and the
arid region begins. East of it an an
nual rainfall is expected adequate to
the tillage of the earth, although SUBJ
ject to alternate disaster of drouth and
flood. Aridity is the distinguishing
characteristic of the vast region west
of it, or lack of rainfall sufficient to
insure the successful growth of agri-
cultural products without the aid of
artificial irrigation.
This arid empire includes, wholly or
in part, seventeen states and territor-
les, with great diversities of climate,
soil, altitude and other physical condi-
tions. Its general healthfulness is one
OF its more inviting features. Through
out its length aud BREADTH" says MIR.
Smythe, sit IL one vast sanitarium. Its
pure air and sunny skies are instinct
with the breath of life. They put new
life into the dropping invalid, prolong.
ing his years and, if not too far gone at
the outset, restoring the old vigor to
his shattered body. The faces of the
permanent dwellers within their in.
Huence they paint with the brown
badge of health. 1t is too early as ye,
to observe the full effect of the climate
on the population of the, arid West, bu,
sufficient results are apparent to war
rant the assertion that these influence:
will breed great race" In addition
to its health-giving properties. the eli
mate Of the arid areas moderates and
makes more endurable the summer:
heat and winters cold. 1t is the hu
mid heat that prostrates and the damI
cold that penetrates. By way of ex
ample, it is asserted that 30 degrees
below zero at Helena, Mont, is felt les.
than 10 degrees above zero at Chicago
or New York, and that So degrees above
zero in the East is more dangerous tC
the laborer than 1l5 in the Colorado
desert. Hence, sunstroke In the arid
region is practically unknown. Th'
rainless air that sweeps over it is nee
essarily dry, and neither breeds dis
eases nor carries their germs. Further
than this, the lack of moisture, com
bined with the configuration, forbid'
the presence of tornssdoes, and it i
claimed that the weather bureau ha
absolutely no record OF cyclone OF
tornado west of the ninety seventh
meridian.
But health, physical comfort ant
immunity from devastating hurricanes
are but part of the blessings of thu
arid West, and Mr.. Snlythe makes M
error In asserting that, without th'
stores of precious metals awaiting ex
traction in the western mountains, thu
American people would be practicall!
dependent on foreign lands for thei
supplies of both gold and silver. No
do all these bounties make up the full
measure of the glories of the arid EN-
pire. II is capable of producing all th'
raw materials requisite to the upbuild
ing of mighty industrial and com
mercial future. ait has more waite
power than New England; more coal
iron and oil than Pennsylvania; large
and better forests than Maine ant
Michigan, and produces better whea
and corn than Illinois or Indiana.
When its waste places shall have beer
radaar,ad tx, jrriuatiou wheu its Qrea