Arizona republican., 1909-03-21

fine, too, and a great improvement lover any eastern winter weather, but the winter climate of southern Ari- zona beats it. During the summer it is different. Then the heat is in- tense; and, although it does not cause sickness, it becomes monotonous, and a flight to the mountains or seashore ! is desirable. But by joining an Ari- zona winter to a California summer, a combination of weather is found
 that is hard to beat Any one who is ! able to make this change is fortunate and to be envied.
 The difference in the effects of coast and desert climate upon the health is again remarked and noticed
 in more ways than one. In the cool,
 damp atmosphere of the coast acids
 and acid fruits are the bane of diges-
 tion, and can only be indulged in sparingly with safety; but on the dry hot desert, fruits can be eaten freely without harm. I eat more oranges in
 Arizona in one day than I do in Cali 1 fOrnia in a year. There is also a
 marked difference in the quality of
 the air in regard to taking cold. On | the coast all air draughts must be avoided to prevent taking a cold. while in Arizona no such precaution 1 iS necessary.
 Breathing the pure, dry air Of Ari- Zona is as pleasant as shipping cham pagne, and much more inviCorating 1 It is eXhilarating without causing over-stimUlation and is health giving to a degree. Tn the clear atmos- phore distances become deceptive and objects are much farther away than they seem. Color sometimes aids here in estimating distance The nearby mountains show their natural colors of green, gray or brown, the farther mountains all look blue. while the remote mountains are nearly lost in thick veil of purple haze. The mountains are an impressive sight and represent the strength, silence and patience of the universe. They are eyer steadfast, always quiet and wait uncomrlainingly on the slow ac- ton of the leveling forces of nature.
 The still quiet of the desert is in strange contrast to the noises of the city. You can travel many miles on the desert without meeting single fellow-creature and but very little of
 
 life there is, however, is of great in- terest. Every insect bird and animal has it's own life history that is an interesting study. The vegetation is likewise found in the rain belt of the east. The plants that live on the desert have to grow without much rain. Some of the animals live en- tirely without water. A noted natu- ralist recently suggested that they must obtain enough water from the dew to supply their wants-but there is no dew in Arizona. He evidently the case and was not all together familiar with desert condi- tions. Much of the desert yet re- mains in its primitive state and has not been spoiled by the hand of man. Outside of a few towns, the only evi- ience of civilization that is seen is an occasional cloud of black smoke from a passing locomotive which pol | utes the air and disfigures the land | scape. No wonder that the Indian, | when he first saw a train of cars | creeping along in the distance, be- | ieved that a new enemy in the form | Df a horrible monster was on his trail | and ready to consume him with its | fiery breath. Such a conception was natural to his untutored | mind and was not far from the truth, Is he is both figuratively and literal y been crowded off the earth by our advancing civilization, and, like the Il buffalo, is destined eventually to be- ,ome exterminated.
 Arizona is a great treasure house f natural wealth and contributes to about every branch of natural science. She has not had air chance to show what she can To, but is rapidly coming into her wn. Her mountains are full of min ral, her plains afford good grazing or numerous herds of cattle, and in agricultural development she is nov ng forward with giant strides. Ari- ona now leads in the production of