THE RIVER BLUFIS. 487 



Many have observed that rain storms follow streams, without under- 

 standing the princij)les involved. Streams saturate the contiguous air, 

 which again yields its moisture to a condensation, which does not reduce 

 the dryer air lying outside at a distance from the river to the dew-point. 

 In a similar manner, a super-saturated sponge will give forth moisture to a 

 pressure under which a partially saturated sponge would not yield a drop. 

 A cool current of air passing over the country would thus cause the conden- 

 sation of vapor, or the ever-forming rain cloud, to appear to travel along 

 river courses. And the greater precipitation of moisture along river courses 

 has been one essential element in the growth of forests, frequently covering 

 river bluffs to give them more force as wind-breaks. 



The horticulture of the river bluffs is worthy a passing thought. The 

 pursuits of any people determine to some extent their character. Horticul- 

 ture is a scientific pursuit involving mind, and possessing elevating tenden- 

 cies. Now the river bluffs are the natural home of the horticulturist. The 

 condition of the soil and climate determine this pursuit almost to the exclu- 

 sion of cereals. The apple, pear, plum, peach and apricot love the bluffs, 

 and the small fruits flourish. JSTotably the grape finds its home among the 

 bluffs. We see its rich purple 0|lusters peeping out beneath leafy trellis bars 

 up the sides of almost inaccessible heights. A horticultural people sand- 

 wiched in all through the great plains, and mingling freely with neighbor- 

 ing communities while discussing cognate topics, are not devoid of influence 

 Avhich tends to lift a people into higher forms of living. When the year 

 cbmes to his prime and bears to our homes his rich stores, ripened with dew, 

 sunshine and shower, we dream of Eden, the ideal of human earthly 

 perfection. 



The esthetics of the river bluffs must not be neglected. The absence of 

 this element is dangerous to any people. When painters cease to study 

 Nature's habitudes, and galleries of art are neglected, when poets forget to 

 draw from her their inspiration and repeat her voices, decay falls on a peo- 

 ple. In the great plains almost the only elevations are found along the 

 rivers. From these heights the prairies with their green carpets richly or- 

 namented with flowers unfold before us. Nothing compares to a prairie 

 scene except the mighty ocean. The blue vault hangs over us more cerulean 

 than in Eastern climes, the river winds its silver thread between the bluffs 

 until it seems to be broken, and the undulating prairie rolls all around us 

 like the ocean. With such scenes ever before a people can there be decay in 

 poetry, painting or sculj)ture? 



The home life of the river bluffs is an essential element. Nearly all 

 our Western cities and smaller towns, containing quite a proportion of the 

 population, are found along the rivers nestled in the bluffs. The luxury of 

 hills is thus brought to our very doors. No one is in condition to enjoy this 

 luxury until deprived of it. When hills are piled on hills, as in some of the 

 States, there is too much of a good thing. Desserts of rich food eaten daint- 

 ily become a luxary. Kiver bluifs are the desserts of our broad prairies, 



