The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-19
po,r,. the Colorado ma, been smut off


from the economically important cultiva-
bile area and is pursuing its random
courses toward the Gulf. Engineering
science has done its utmost to provide
a barrage which shall oppose a success
full resistance to the utmost force OF
the always possible conjuncture of
flood conditions in the two rivers. For
the present the danger Is minimized.
But so long as the delta is in a poise Of
unstable equilibrium tho danger cannot
be said to be removed.
The next line of campaign must be
addressed to the stability Of the delta
dluvium. Here the conditions widely
vary from the problem which confronts
the engineer in the muddy silts OF the
Louisiana delta land, for the Colorado
mouth Is filled with a crystalline detri-
tus, with a diluvium OF sand. Upon this
material which, though shifting under
the scour OF the stream flow and always
thrown back by the waves of the Gulf,
is of unexampled fertility, the modern
economic geographer essays to produce
by his art the slower processes whereby
nature has fixed similar unstable areas
in the unremittlng application OF forces
through periods 50 long that we call
them geologic. 1t IL with this problem
that tho greater part of this volume
deals.
Economic climatologists have estab-
llshed clearly the fact that the most con-
servative agent OF the soil IL vegetation.
The control OF the delta of such
stream as the Colorado Is properly to be
approached at Its headwaters. In effect
| the river Is a drain pipe, the diluvium
deposit at the mouth Is nothing other
| than the eroded matter which has en-
tered the pipe at It's upper end. In the
course OF time n better administration
OF the forest region In which the river
heads will reduce the amount OF waste
matter to be disposed OF at the mouth !;
the equilibrium tends to establish Itself
through long ages. But long before the
headwaters can be regulated. II ever. the
conservative power OF vegetation can be
utilized to anchor the shifting banks Of
the delta.
The problems pertaining 10 this
branch OF the theme have been very
carefully elaborated by the zeal OF the
contributors to this volume. We find n
carefully prepared record OF the plant
life TO which this detrtus formation Is
congeniel. the conditions under which
they can hest grow in state OF nature
as indicative of the manner In which
each con be utilized for the fixing OF
the soil; TO which is added study OF
the vegetation of other desert lands
which might successfully be introduced
here at the Colorado mouth. The record
goes far beyond the study OF the higher
forms Of vegetal growth, Il examines
the unicellular organisms OF low typ
in their relation to the superior organ
isms and discusses in close analysis
4 those bacteria which are found In th'
, Salton Sea 70 oppose tho advance o
cor sentative vegetation.
This Is entirely new field OF engi
: nepring a coaxing OF nature 10 do II
I short order what II has hitherto requinc'
long ages to accomplish. 1t Is entirely
I n. new botany. II has nothing which II
, the least recalls the older systems .
= Monandria digynia, IL is rather the stud,
Of how TO get the most use out OF tn
= growths which can fix themselves II
I the crystalline dctritus can complete tn
a disintegration Of the individual grain
2 which the piver has begun by grindln
9 the rocks along its course and thu
[ produce humus FOR the reception O
n other plants whose value passes beyon
= that OF mere conservation and become
i economically productive. The Voium
n touches upon many sciences Whlch !
= general have been considered sufficien
% in themselves, yet 1t has not been con
's tent with the mere determination T.
4 terms OF any one science. II has sough
. 20 consociate each with all the other
II and ~ fuse of them all a weapon whic
r may move the fixed powers OF natur
l. as manifested through the major ny
draulics OF a Maynard river into IN
Z control Of its own waywardness. So 70
V as relates 10 the Salton Sea we have hei
Il verituble encyclopedia, history OF Il
@, past. a statement OF It's present and ~
b. expression OF IA lively hope for what i
b future may be made.