Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1900-08-17
CYCLONE PROTECTION
Forestry Commissioner Barrett gives
Ideas Regarding the Abating of
Wind Fury.
Trees and DISTINCTIONS Tend to Modi-
fy the Force of Wind and Hail
Storms.
Compares the Storms of Last Week
with Those of June, oo and
Gives Good Advice.

"ASA uOSS VI JuASS " oAAA
Gives Good Advice.
Editor Tribune: The great, terrible
and property destroying wind and hail
storms which within the last few days
have visited Trail, Ramsey, Towner,
Benson and Eddy counties, and other
sections, are natural operations of the
most appalling nature, and l cannot
but think the same are deserving Of the
profoundest study of the industrious
farmers, as we'll as students of nature.
BY taking thought, cannot man modify
for better and more favorable results
moisture (rain and ice) and the elec-
trical energies generated thereby as
they career unhampered over the wide
barren eXpanse of North Dakota and
the west? cannot but contend that
he, "the Lord of creation" possesses
such power, and mat he can accom-
plish such desideration mainly
through the simple exercise of a fair
amount Of good sound common sense,
and the expenditure of little time
and money in the planting and rearing
of trees and woods in such amounts as
may be necessary, on his own posses
sions.
Is it not fact that the united, de-
vastating forces of which we have just
had a solemn lesson, prevail from time
to time, in varying intensity, in nearly
the same or the identical sections? I
think it was June 80, 1899, when a
widespread hail storm destroyed large
areas of grain, etc., near Cando and
Churchs Ferry, where the demons of
air of late have wrought such fearful
results. Let us examine the surface
of the country which has been sub
jected to the blast of the wind and hail
kings. We find the same to be prac-
tically level and devoid of trees. Thus
there is nothing scarcely, except build
ings, to stand against the onslaught
and might of the air storms. Why do
not such relentless, unhampered at
mospheric phenomena find manifesto
ton in the Mouse River country and
the Missouri slope region? Because
there are numerous distractions in
those parts which aid to destroy. or
prevent such concentrations and opera
tions. These are found in the way of
hills, buttes, defiles and the trees and
forests contiguous to the shores of the
Missouri and Mouse rivers and their
many branches. Why do not extern
sive and uncontrolled ice-forms and
wind-tides break upon the Turtle Noun
tains and adjoining fields and impov-
erish the tillers of the soil of that part
OF our state? Because of the many
tall hills and mountains and masses of
woods of that favored division of North
Dakota.
Why, ask, do not the cyclones and
the chilling maddened sky-powers
sweep up and along the Red river, wip-
ing out the fields of waving bounty
in that region, on the eastern edge of
our state? Because it's deep banks,
waters, and the trees and forests stud
ding it's edges bid defiance and subdue
such destroyers, breaking the compact
and intensified currents and swerling
savage sheets.
Why does not Pembina county share
thesame fate as the low prairie lands
away? Because of it's uplands, hol-
lows and it's wooded coverings.
The mastering and furious storms OF
ice and winds in Trail county lost
force and might to full degree when
passing over the Red river into Min
nesota. Why? Because of the mar
row line Of hindrances in the slope of
the embankments of the river and the
trees growing near. If such simple
frail interferences produce such sub
jugauons or annulment of the savagery
of the mighty storm, what may be ex-
pected from we'll developed wood lots,
windbreaks or forests?
Why do not tornadoes and similar
inharmonics frequent the "big woods
of Minnesota and other states? The
answer is plain: The enmassed for
ests and bodies of water, etc., prevent
or hinder such catastrophes from the
elemental forces and energies of air
and earth.
do not claim that trees and woods
in large amounts will Of certainty
prevent the formation of cyclones.