Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-10-10
RAIN.

Is it possible to produce rain at will during
a season which promises to be one OF protracted
drought? The question is one that has exer-
oisei the minds of scientific men for quite a
number of years, and all, or nearly all OF
them, agree that no matter how dry the
weather may have previously been heavy
rain storms almost invariably occur after a
great battle has been fought, or town has
been subjected 10 bombardment.
German writer's record similar result from
the battles which have recently been fought
on the French frontier The drought, which
had parched the crops and shrivelled up the
rivers, has been succeeded during the past
six weeks by continuous and violent rains
which have done great damage to the stand
ing corn in many districts, and have serious.
ly impeded the march of troops Sinue the
opening battle of the campaign, at Worth, un
til the close of the siege OF Strasbourg, there
has been series OK violent rain storms, accom-
panied by much thunder and lightning. These
storms have swept in their COURSE, across
Southern Germany to the far plains of Hun
gary, and it is stated that the clouds did not
diSperse, and fair weather set in, until the
cessation OF heavy fighting. Various facts are
cited, in regard to previous wars, to confirm
the theory that violent conclusions OF the
atmosphere are productive Of rain. During the
invasion of Republican France by the Ger
man armies in 1870, the latter, on their re-
treat, were obliged to abandon their heavier
artillery because the rains had saturated the
soil to such depth as to prevent them NOV
ing the guns with the necessary rspldlty. The
Franco-Prussian war Of 1906, was marked by
heavy and continuous rains, and during nearly
all the campaigns of Napoleon, the Crimean
war, the war in Italy, which ended in the ex-
pulsion OF the Austrians, and also our own
civil war, similar meteorological disturbances
were noted
From these facts. the deduction is drawn
that rain can be produced during period Of
drought by massing number OF batteries OF
artillery and firing them off, simultaneously, at
intervals Of quarter Of an hour. Such a
suggestion was made to the French Govern
ment during the severe drought of June last;
but it was not then acted on. 1t is not, how
ever, claimed that success would be sure 10 all
instances; but orly under certain atmospheric
southwest wind shall bo blowing at the time
and carrying with it heavy masses OF clouds;
that the barometer shall mark less than sew
venty-six centimetres, and that the place Of
firing shall be at some point on the coast where
the atmosphere is charged with aqueous
vapor.'
But if the theory thus aborated be correct,
some of these conditions are certainly not re-
nuired The norhern frontier OF France,
where the great battles were fought, is remote
from the coast, and up to the time that the
heaviest firing commenced, the crops and her
bage we're almost burnt up by the long preVa-
lepce of dry weather, and the sky was nearly
cloudless No sooner, however, were one or
Two great battles fought, than the long perloo
of drought was suddenly broken up by the Sc
ries of rain storms to which We have referred.
There can be but little doubt, we think, from
the facts already cited, that heavy artillery mr.
inp. by percussion of the atmosphere and, per-
hans. bv the changes which are thus wrought
in it's electrical condition. will produce rain.
But whether it is possible to give to this knowl.
edge practical application, 10 the interest OF
agriculture, is a question which has yet to be
determined.-Bah. Goz.
THOUGHT IT WAS HER HUsBAND.-One
dark night, not long ago, burglar entered a
private residence in Sixth avenue. On ascend
ing one flight of stairs he observed alight 10
chamber, and while hesitating what to DO
large woman suddenly descended upon hlm.
seized him by the throat, forced him down
through the hall, and pushed him into the
street before he had time to think, Heroic
Repulse of Burglar by Woman was the
way tie story appeared 10 the newspapers next
dsy. But when friends called and congratu.
lated her upop her courage she exclaimed :
Good gracious | didn't know it was burg
lar. III had should have been frightened 10
DEATH thought it was my husband come
home drunk again, and was determined be
shouldn't stay in the house in that condition.
-L0utSr}le Sun.
Dry GooDs IN New YoRK.-Thc height OF
The active season was reached no doubt 10 the
third week of September, and the Lost that
can be expected hereafter, until the close, must
be steadily but slowly declining business
There will be very heavy business done 10 Oc.
tober; but it will fall short of the amount sold
in September first hands, at least. The
Jobbcrs will exercise wise caution at this sea-
son in replcpshing their stocks, and buy only
from hand to hand. The near by customers
have now to be supplied. They will make tnelr
selections during the present and succeeding
West have mostly finished up and gone home
The general conditions Of the market have un
dergone no material change.
Much TOO SAFE.-The vile OF very ener
getic and we'll known business agent 10 TINS
city, one day last week, cashed 1920 check
at the bank on which it was drawn. Not llk.
ing the appearance of several men who saw
her with the money, the lady, on her arrival
home, looked about Tor some secure place 10
which to hide it, and finally decided that the
stove was as safe place as any so the prcci
Gus paper was therein deposited Next morn
log, forgetting all about the $500, she built a
nice fire, which naturally resulted in the utter
decentralization and retreat of the greenbacks
Her husband, who has had many hard rubs ir
his dav. and has seen too much OF the worlG
to waste tears over split milk, consoles himsel
for the loss by rejecting the money is quite
safe from moths, rust and thieves, at any rate
Portsmouth Chronicle
HAVE OPENED .,
IL Black Apacas, great bargain.
Table Diapers, Table Napkins.