484 BUFFALO LAND. 



Kansas and Nebraska, a very large aggregate surface has been 

 broken up, and holds more of the rains than formerly. Dur- 

 ing the same period modifying influences have been put in 

 motion in Montana, Utah, and Colorado. Very small areas 

 of timbered land west of the Missouri have been cleared — not 

 equal, perhaps, to the area of forest, orchard, and vineyards 

 planted. Hence it may be said that all the acts of man in this 

 vast region have tended to produce conditions on the earth's 

 surface ameliorative of the climate. With extended settlements 

 on the Arkansas, Canadian, and Red River of the south, as 

 well as on the Arkansas, on the river system of the Kaw Val- 

 ley, and on the Platte, the ameliorating conditions will be ex- 

 tended in like degree; and it partakes more of sober reason 

 than wild fancy to suppose that a permanent and beneficial 

 change of climate may be experienced. The appalling deteri- 

 oration of large portions of the earth's surface, through the acts 

 of man in destroying the forests, justifies the trust that the cul- 

 ture of taller herbage and trees in a region heretofore covered 

 mainly by short grasses may have a converse effect. Indeed, in 

 Central Kansas nature seems to almost precede settlements by 

 the taller grasses and herbage." 



THE TREES AND FUTURE FORESTS OF THE PLAINS. 



Mr. Elliott continues his article as follows : " The principal 

 native trees on the plains west of ninety-seventh meridian are : 

 Cottonwood, walnut, elm, ash, box-elder, hackberry, plum, red 

 cedar. To these may be added willow and grape-vines, and 

 also the locust and wild cherry mentioned by Abert as occur- 

 ring on the Purgatory. The black walnut extends to the one- 



