THE BOTTOM OF THE BOWL 



59 



being created wherever possible and the cutting 

 of timber within them is prohibited. Why is 

 this being done ? Ostensibly to preserve the 

 trees, but in reality to preserve the water sup- 

 ply, to keep the fountain-heads pure, to main- 

 tain a uniform stage of water in the rivers. 

 Very proper and right. The only pity is that 

 it was not undertaken forty years ago. But 

 how is the water supply, from an economic and 

 hygienic stand-point, any more important than 

 the air supply ? 



Grasses, trees, shrubs, growing grain, they, 

 too, may need good air as well as human lungs. 

 The deserts are not worthless wastes. You 

 cannot crop all creation with wheat and alfal- 

 fa. Some sections must lie fallow that other 

 sections may produce. Who shall say that the 

 preternatural productiveness of California is 

 not due to the warm air of its surrounding des- 

 erts ? Does anyone doubt that the healthful- 

 ness of the countries lying west of the Mississ- 

 ippi may be traced directly to the dry air and 

 heat of the deserts. They furnish health to 

 the human ; why not strength to the plant ? 

 The deserts should never be reclaimed. They 

 are the breathing-spaces of the west and should 

 be preserved forever. 



Value of the 

 air supply. 



Value of the 

 deserts. 



