438 THE LIMITED WATER SUPPLY OF THE ARID REGION 



In general, the average number of these storm warnings sent abroad 

 is three for each typhoon. The first is given when the first signs of 

 the storm are detected, the second when the center of the tyi)hoon is 

 crossing the islands or is at the least distance from tliein Tand this 

 time not only the existence of the typhoon is stated, l)ut also the 

 direction of the storm, if possilde), tiie third and final warning wlien 

 the center of tlie ty phcjon passes out of the archii)ehig() and enters the 

 China Sea or recurves into the Pacific Ocean. The number of these 

 telegrams sent to C^hina and Japan during the years 1804-18'.)" was 

 as follows : In 1894, 21 ; 1895, 27; 1896, 34, an(i 1897, 1-5. making a 

 total of 97. 



These telegraphic warnings have been much ajipreciated in the 

 colony of Hongkong, as recent events have proved. \ distinguished 

 officer of the British navy, after the cutting of the cable between 

 Hongkong and Manila, entreated Admiral Dewey to restore commu- 

 nication, as otherwise great danger would ensue to life and property 

 from the interruption of the telegraphic storm warnings. The United 

 States consul at Honkong also testified to tlieir great value, and re- 

 quested that the telegrams sent there should also be wired directly to 

 him in the same manner as they were transmitted, before the blockade 

 of Manila, to the Spanish consul in that colony. 



It only remains to mention one other ])ublic service performed by 

 the Manila Observatory, namely, the gratuitous correction and stand- 

 ardizing of the barometers of ships visiting the port. 



THE LIMITED WATER SUPPLY OF THE ARID REGION 

 By Fredp:kick H. Newell, 



Clupf Ht/droyrnpJter, U. S. G'eolor/ical Surrey 



A few years ago the old ideas as to the utter worthlessness for agri- 

 cultural purposes of the land west of the 100th meridian gave way to 

 the most extravagant notions concerning its possibilities under irri- 

 gation. It was commonly talked that everv acre could be reclaimed, 

 and a man who ventured to assert that tlie water supply wtjuld suffice 

 for the reclamation of only a small part of the land was almost in 

 danger of being mobbed. 



Now, however, there is no longer talk of irrigating every acre, even 

 of the most fertile soil, and the statement that only o or 10 i)er cent 



