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In
7977 ,
the American
Southwest
was
hit
by
a
severe
clrought. Will concli–
tions
ease next year or
must
America
prepare
lor
a pro–
longecl ancl clevastating
clrought?
by
Jerry Gentry
"AND
YOUR
heaven that is over
n_
your head shall be brass, and
the earth that is under you shall
be iron. The Lord shall make the rain
of your land powder and dust ; from
heaven shall it come clown upon you,
until you be destroyed," wrote Moses
in the Old Testament.
Periodically, such prophecies have
descended upon nations ancient and
modero with almost apocalyptic ven–
geance. Although often falling short of
the ultimate horror - utter destruction
of land by drought - a cydical pattern
of devastating drought has been strik–
ing the North American continent about
every 20 years.
In 1971 a new and perhaps very criti–
ca! pattern of drought began once again.
Dust Bowl Crisis?
Those who remember the agony of
the 1930's Dust Bowl do not want to
relive its possible repetition during the
1970's. Yet, if the past is any key to the
future, the great drought of the 70's,
already under way, may well develop
into "Dust Bowl" proportions.
In the 1930's disaster of dryness, míl–
lions of acres of rich farm land became
powder and dust from the Canadian
border to Mexico. The North American
Great Plains covering parts of nearly a
dozen states was hardest hit.
Black Blizzards of Death
Incredible and sobering accounts of
the drought and dust devastation of the
1930's testify to man's utter dependence