Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 28.djvu/688

670 experience such as falls to the lot of but few, and a long and careful investigation of statistics which have not as yet been compiled.

It is therefore the intention of the present article to give testimony only in regard to the climate of Colorado; to point out to those seeking such information what they may reasonably expect to find here; and to proclaim to that large invalid class in the East and South, to which we ourselves at one time belonged, the restoration to health which we, with thousands upon thousands of others, have found in this glorious climate.

—Professor Frankland, in the article quoted, sums up the climatic conditions prevailing at Davos, which he establishes as a criterion, as follows, viz.: "1. Great elevation above sea-level (5,400 feet). 2. A continuous and, during winter, permanent covering of snow. 3. A minimum of watery vapor in the air. 4. A clear sun. 5. A clean atmosphere, free from zymotic germs, dust, and fog. G. A sheltered position, favorable for receiving both the direct and reflected solar rays."

A comparison will show that, in all but one of these conditions, Colorado can make a favorable showing with Davos, and that, taking everything into consideration, she can come nearer to fulfilling the requirements than any other portion of the United States.

As regards this single condition, that of having a perpetual covering of snow, whatever may be its effects upon the Davos climate, we of Colorado have been wont to consider it a great point in our favor that, throughout the winter, we are almost entirely free from snow, and that our sandy and porous soil drinks it up rapidly when it comes. We have regarded this as an advantage, because our sun-temperatures are warm enough without the additional heat of the "reflected rays" that come from snow; because its presence would interfere so materially with the out-of-door life that our invalids lead; and because experience has shown that, where there is the continuous covering of snow as occurs in the Northwest, there comes the thaw, which is usually synchronous with the thaw at the coast, and which brings in its train great atmospheric moisture and chill, and that, too, at a time when patients are seeking to avoid similar conditions at their homes.

In order that we may prove our assertion with regard to our having so little snow, we introduce a table showing the exact amount in inches of rain and melted snow that fell at Denver during the winter of 1884-'85:

To return now to a consideration of the conditions prevailing at Davos, which may, in the main, be taken as those which arc most