DROUGHT. The question of moisture sufft cient for the growth of plants, in particular sea sons especially, is one of the most important prob lems which the farmers beyond a line one hundred miles west of the Mississippi, have to solve. As we proceed west the integer becomes an increas ing one. Where irrigation may be practiced, (see Irrigation) only in isolated localities, and the land is of sufficient value to warrant the outlay, the difficulty is surely overcome and maximum crops may be raised. On all that vast area, east of the Rocky Mountains, which may not be susceptible of irrigation, on account of the absence of streams, the only feasible plans are those mechanical means for the resistance of drought, and such methods as will tend to induce moisture. The planting of timber belts, to induce rainfall, and the deepening of the soil so that it may drink up and conserve moisture, are among the many important. The history of the settlement of the trans-Mississippi region, has shown that as the country was opened up, and timber planted, the rainfall was increased. Water for stock is pretty surely obtained by the digging of wells, and thorough cultivation has been shown to have so conserved moisture that, except in extraordinary seasons, the crops have been good. This is important as showing the value of cultivation, and the thorough disinte gration of the soil, as a means of alleviating the effects of drought in particular seasons, all over the West and Southwest. It is not the yearly
amount of rainfall that is so important in the maturing of crops, but its periodicity. England, with a moist, wet, sloppy climate, has not much more than half the rainfall of some of the Western States; yet England seldom suffers from drought, while the West often does. Some portions of the South Pacific coast never have rain, and yet produce good crops from the large deposition of dew, and the frequent mists through condensation of the moisture of the air at night. Although much light has been thrown upon the questions relating to meteorology, within the last ten years, the science is yet in a crude state; yet that precipitation of moisture may be accom plished by human means, there is no doubt. How it may be done to give supply to now partially arid regions, remains to be discovered. Something has been done through the planting of timber belts and groves, and much moisture may be conserved t o the roots of plants by thorough and careful cultivation. These two means, if we except that of artificial irrigation, are the best known for alleviating the effects of drought.