44 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



Another theory tenaciously held by some, is that the increased 

 rainfall is produced by the iron on the railroad lines of the State 

 and the wires of the telegraph lines. A few also believe that 

 it is effected by the disturbance of the atmospheric circulation 

 through the concussions of locomotives and moving trains. The 

 objection to these views comes largely from the fact that in the 

 older States where railroad lines are much more numerous and 

 have existed much longer, no increase of rainfall has been noticed. 



A more plausible theory'is, that the planting of trees has been 

 the cause of increased rainfall. This, I admit, is a helping cause, 

 but cannot be the main cause of increased rainfall. In Nebraska 

 increase of rainfall commenced before the number of trees planted 

 equaled the number destroyed. Comparatively few of the first 

 settlers planted trees. Again, the statistics of forestry in the east, 

 in Europe, in Asia, show that forests modify temperature, the vio- 

 lence of winds and equalize rainfall, but do not increase it. While 

 therefore it is admitted that the growth of forests exercises the hap- 

 piest influences on climate, it is still evident that we must look 

 elsewhere for the permanent causes of increasing rainfall. The 

 same argument that applies to forests can be used in reply 

 to those who insist that increased rainfall is due to the pro- 

 ductions of corn and the cereal grains. It may be that the 

 continued and combined action of these causes has some effect in 

 increasing rainfall, but it must be small. There is, however, an 

 other cause, not heretefore mentioned, most potently acting to pro- 

 duce all the changes in rainfall that the facts indicate have taken 

 place. What then is that cause? 



// is the great increase in the absorptive power of the soil, 

 wrought by cultivation, that has caused, and continues to cause 

 an increasing rainfall in the State. 



Any one who examines a piece of raw prairie closely, must observe 

 how compact it is. Every one who opens up a new farm, soon finds 

 that it requires an extra force to break it. There is nothing extra- 

 ordinary about this. For vast ages the prairies have been pelted by the 

 elements and trodden by millions of buffalo and other wild animals, 

 until the naturally rich soil became as compact as a floor. When 

 rain falls on a primitive soil of this character, the greater part runs 

 off into the canyons, creeks and rivers, and is soon through the 

 Missouri on its way to the Gulf. Observe now the change which 

 cultivation makes. After the soil is broken, the rain as it falls is 



