The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-02
JUST BACK FROM SAHARA.


GF,rom the Washington Evening start
A traveller from the hot sands of the
Sahara has just returned to the depart
ment of agriculture with some valuable
collections, and what is more to the point
for this story, interesting account of
his experiences in the desert The long
try, for transplanting in Arizona, some
of the finest species of date palms. Dates
titles. The early settlers planted seeds,
and from these a few trees which bear
fruit have sprung up under very adverse
conditions. 1t was thought that by Sc
curing some offshoots of the date trees
excellent results might be obtained in
Arizona, as the climatic conditions are all
partment of agriculture, was sent to the
desert of Sahara, in the French province
OF Algeria on an exploring expedition in
He brought back with him $50 young
plants safely packed in moss, which he
will be planted in Arizona
Mr.. Swingle landed in Algiers and took
a train for BiSkra- $50 miles south, and
80 miles within the Sahara This is a ia
NOUS Saharan winter resort, and although
Portable. He then started from Biskra
and travelled in carriages out into the Sa-
was made over the French military road,
which is a. well kept thoroughfare and free
about Is miles apart there are fortified
posts maintained by the French army for
the pacification of the country. There is
a well at each post, the first essential of
travel in the desert. The American ex-
plorer. however, did not depend upon the
precious fluid in bottles. The water of the
wells in the. desert Is said to be strongly
alkaline and very distasteful to the ordi-
nary mans stomach. The natives carry
water in goat skins, and while this method
cools the water, it does not add to its de-
Hciousness.
The journey down was rather monot-
onous, just the same stretch of desert
blaze infOIRra heat n q
middle of the day. The road was good,
ana nc da1r nf fb was aae Is
all sand. In most places it is said to be
coed loamy sell sci, which # irrigated is as
lions there are immense sand dunes,
higher than the Washington city post Of
flee and in others there are stretches of
"hamada," the rocky deSert, which is said
to be the most fearful OF all.
"cous cous.'' which is q. kind of tapioca,
steamed and served with meat gravy,
sheep or Goats Goats furnishing the meat me- The
and would be good if it were not so hot.
Rates and barley f bread I f1rm the other
probably 5000 600 or 1900 900 date palms in
Algeria. each tree Tfoducing from 100 to
product is consumed at home
OF course the dates are only grown in
the desert Wherever there is enough
water. to supply irrigation there will be
a little cluster. of palm, some fig trees,
barley, vegetables growing under the
palms. a bunch of sheep or goats and a
ment canes He iiv Te smpy ana frugaiy and
in the heat of summer hopes to send his
stock and his family into the mountain
Since the French occupied the country
they, have sunk artesian wells, about
which new GASES and great plantations
of dates have sprung up. much to the sur
prise of the aged nomads who have lived
to see the desert blossom like the rose.
Several hundred thousand date trees
have grown up in these plantations. Near
Okba- which contains the tomb of saint
The people are very pious and very poor
the Sahara and contains population of
When Mr.. Swingle and his party
reached this part Of the country they
were introduced to some severe climatic
conditions and made close acquaintance
with a Saharan. sirocco; In the desert no
one ever seems to perspire, no matter how
high the temperature. The moisture evap-
crates so rapidly that 1t leaves no trace,
and wear a high collar without
fear of its whiting. The temperature in
1872 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade GRANT
ed that shade can be found. This oc-
ours during the prevalence of the -sirocco.
The highest temperature felt by Mr..
Swingle was 10 degrees.
The :siroeeo is a hot wind that blows
over the desert filling the air with fine
particles of sand and dust, which pene
trate every ;t ere The thermometer goes
closed, life becomes almost unbearable-
Every one becomes depressed to an un-
times blows steadily for@wo or three days
and during that time ventures
about and all business is at a standstili.
Some beautiful mirage effects were wit
messed by Mr.. Swingle, although he says,
he has seen better ones in Arizona. In
the Sahara the mirage always brings Wis
ions of water. lakes and pillows, with
reedy shores and the overhanging bushes
reflected in the stream. In Arizona the
mirage is usually reflection of noun
tains.
temperature falling from 40 degrees to
so degrees and lower, and a blanket and
wraps are acceptable A great deal of
travelling is done by night, and the long
caravans go swinging by, silently and
mysteriously. in the shadows of the sand
dunes. Owing to the clearnesS of the at !
studied closely, and one ceases to marvel
that the Arabs have always been students
of astronomy. A sunrise in the desert is |
described by Mr. Swingle as the most |
magnificent scene he ever witnessed and |
one which the beholder is likely never to |
forget
There is a great deal of malaria among |
the resident Arabs and blindness prevails |
to an alarming degree. Visual affections |
are due to the action of the sand and |
the white glare of the sun. The malaria. |
comes from the irrigating bitches and |
pools which abound in the neighborhood |
nant and productive of disease.
Many herds of magnificent horses were |
seen on the way, the weather. Arabs still |
clinging to the raising of the noble ami |
mails which have made Arabia famous.
Less valuable breeds of horses are being |
used for transportation instead of camels, |
and the industry is growing. The Ara bian |
takes good care of his horse but neglects |
the faithful camel, who is turned out to |
browse upon thistles or anything he can |
Ilipk