The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-08-17

they plant the Siberian Pea tree, or
Caragana, so as to cross the lines OF
the prevailing hot winds at distances
Of fifteen or twenty rods between the
rows. Where higher trees are used
the shelter belts may be farther
apart. In portions Of Iowa, where
the instructions Of the Iowa Agr1cul-
farmers started several years ago 10
plant shelter belts. The result has
been entirely satisfactory and where
sufficient areas hav been protected
they have no more loss of crops due
to the hot winds.
Many different views have been ad-
vanced to account for the origin OF
hot winds. For man years 1t was be-
lieved they originated on the arid
stacked plains, moved northWaro'
sucking the moisture from the vegeta-
ton as they swept over the prairie
states, and left the ruined crops in
their wake. AS to their movement and
destructiveness there is no room for
argument. We are painfully aware OF
their results.
A second theory as to their origin
is that they come from west OF the
Rocky mountains, lose their +. moisture
in crossing and descend on the eastern
slopes. Prof. Samuel B. Green in com
menting on these theories, says: But
all theories that ascribe their origin
to a distance source are inadequate to
explain their phenomena. For in
stance, all who are acquainted with
these winds know that they blow only
during very hot weather, When the
earth is heated very hot, that a good
rain speedily brings them to an end,
and that they blow only during the
day time, commencing about 8 a. m.
and continuing until shutdown. This
daily movement is often constant for
several weeks, showing that there is
evidently some connection between
them and the course of the sun. For
these reasons and others which would
| require too much space to give here,
the best authorities unite in attr1but-
ing them to local origin"
Tho Hot Wind Described.
George c.. Curtiss deserves the pro-
cess of production Of a typical hot
wind as follows: The necessary con-
ditions are those of the warm wave,
namely, a diminishing pressure to the
northward, producing southerly winds
which initially elevate the temperature
above the normal. A cloudless sky ia
vors an intense insulation, as g result
of which the dry ground is soon rails
ing to an extreme temperature, and
the air is heated from 1t by radiation.
reflection, and conduction. The result
Ing diminution of density due to the
rise of temperature furnishes impetus
to previously existing horizontal cur
| rents, and by 10 o'clock in the morning
| the hot wind Is fully developed. Hun
dreds of miles of hot, dry earth con-
tribute to maintain and feed the cur
rent. and gathering strength as the
sun mounts higher, the hot wind
sweeps over the d~efenseless prairie.
Neither hills nor forests rise in it's
path to break its power or dispute its
sway, and with no enemy save the
tardy rain cloud, the fetid blast sucks
out the l~tfe-sap of the growing grain.
1t will be readily seen, then, that each
state-Kansas, Nebraska n North
and South Dakota-develops it's hot
winds and cannot charge them to the
account of it's neighbors."
Wind Breaks and Shelter Belts.
With this comprehension of the
origin Of these winds, the d~esirability
for w~indbreaks and shelter belts
throughout u state is easily under
stood. This is the most practical
method of protection against these
destructive hot winds that has as YET
been devised. With careful and sys-
tematic planting there is no doubt
that the state of North Dakota could
entirely free itself Of any danger
from these winds. Now is the time
when we need to realize the import
ance Of planting trees for this kind Of
protection. Next spring when we are
rushing to get in u crops the hot
winds will seem far away and we will
be apt to forget the need of shelter
belts and apt to neglect h planting
Of trees. If it had not been for the
fact that trees and small grain neeC
to be planted at about the same time
of the year, North Dakota would have
long ago been properly protected
from the hot winds Of the summer
and the chilly blasts of winter.