American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-22

THEORY OF STORMS AND ARTIFICIAL RAIN.
When Professor Espy first made known his the
DRY of storms, and suggested the possibility of
producing artificial rain by means of large fires,
we thought it very doubtful whether his theory
could be sustained by facts; but abundant evil
dencc has been adduced TO give weight to his
suggestions; if not to firmly establish the cor
rectness Of his theory in all its parts. We have
before us the testimony Of sundry gentlemen Of
responsibility and intelligence, showing, that
rain has been unquestionably produced by large
fires. We select the following letter address
ed to professor Espy, and dated
"COUDERsPoRT, (PA.) July 30, lS44.
DEAR SIR: The undersigned, citizens of
Coudersport and vicinity, DESTROYS of rendering
to you what little aid they possibly can, beg
leave to present TO you their testimonies of the
following facts;
On Saturday, the 18th July, about one o.
clock, the iallow of ID. II. Ellsworth, Esq, con-
tanning about 6 acres was fired. At the time
the fire was set the day was calm and warm,
and would be considered clear; there were some
flying clouds, with slight appearances OF rain
to the north but none in the neighborhood. -
w
violence. In a short time a white cloud was
seen to form over the black smoke, which rose
over the fire with great velocity, nearly perpen-
dicular. The white cloud rolled outwards
above, especially towards the north and south,
and probably more still towards the east, as the
wind was gentle in that direction, aud as the
rain which fell from it increased as it proceeded
east as fer as heard from. 1t did not swell out
very far towards the west In less than an
hour from the commencement of the burning,
very large drops otrain were seen descending by
many Inhabitants of Coudersport from the cloud,
glistenmg in the rays of the sun like diamonds.
1t rained but little in Coudersport, which was
about enc hundred rods west of the fire, and
none OF all ole-half mile west of the village.
This latter fact was remarked particularly by
Charles Lyman, who was ten miles west of
Coudeysport at the time of the burning, and
who found the road very dusty until he came
within few rods of the village, when the first
edge of the shower made its appearance. Mr.
Lyman lives two miles east of CoudeFsport,
and lie found the quantity Of rain which had
fallen constantly increased as lie advanced
When he got home he found the ground quite
wet; previous to the rain it was quite dry and
parched, suffering much for want of rain
Samuel Taggart lives six miles east Of Cou-
dersport ana at his place the shewer was very
violent, with unusually large drops Of rain.
The shower did not last long at Mr.. Taggarts,
probably not more than thirty minutes, but it
rained an uncommon quantity for the time
Some of our citizens watched the whole forma-
ton of the cloud, and its gradual recession to-
wards the east after the rain; and we have I'M
derstood from credible authority that it rained
hard and much longer, the same afternoon,
many miles further to the east. We are unani-
mously of the opinion that this rain ,cas pro-
dneeS by the burning cfhe taIlo,o, and we think
it due to your zeal in the cause of science to
make this communication to you.
Very truly, yours, Sc,
JOHN S. MANN