National Republican., 1877-10-06
UTILIZATION OF STORMS.
Rain water-smaIi Fruits-Fires.

Apropos the big fires and bigger rains
which have recently visited this and other cities
some practical suggestions for utilizing the former
to lessen loss by the latter may not be out of place
and as the circulation of the NATIONAL REPuBLI.
CAN Is being daily increased Il Is A good medium
to carry these useful hints to a large number Of
persons who NAV be benefited by needing them in
season. Many large fires have occurred, and high,
costly buildings been destroyed for want OF a few
pals null Of water In the upper stories on the In.
'tant which would have prevented great destruc-
ton.
Rain gauges in various portions of our country
prove that the rainfall has ranged from Erty four
a. hny-twO inches annually during the last two
decades giving full average OF forty eight inches
FOUR FEET ANNUALLY,
Of water, from above, requiring no cost Of cxpen.
buildngs
quantity Of rain-watcr which falls annually we
give few figures: The roof building 5nINO o.
25Oo square feet Of surface four feet deep falling
on this gives 1000 cubic feet of water annually
from the roof Reduce this to gallons and hogs.
heads: The gallon Is 2Sl cubic inches the hogs.
head, G3 GALLONS, or 3 l-H cubic feet. This divided
into the 10000 cubic feet Of water which falls on
the roof gives over OOO hOgsheads Of water in the
year which may he secured from vC.Conductnrs
and secured in tanks in the upper story Of the
building 100 feet square gives four times as much
Toufage, and Of course four times more water that
whata
VAST QUANTITY OF WATER
could be secured from roof of q building like the
Patent Once IN tanks or reservoirs stationed in the
upper stories and which could be used In mo,
mHnt upon discovering the hrst small hamcs.
Faucets IN the sides near the bottom of the tanks
with rubber pipes attached leading to all parts uf
building, would afford water Ia cXtinguish small
flames long before any fire engine could ret TO
work upon them and In season to put them out
And just now, when reconstruction or repairs
Of buildings is being considered this matter Is
worthy Of notice. For houses on farms and In
small towns, where there are no public water
works" this system II peculiarly desirable At
his farm.hOmes IN the Western States even with
only twostOry houses, the writer Of this has had
considerable pleasant and profitable experience,
and has known Others 10 adopt II by placing tanks
OF about two hogshesls capacity IN one corner 0f
the second story, with faucet and pipe. Besides
saving labor and obtaining security II saved cost
OF insurance, as we always got our policies al
favorable rates.
THEN FOR IRRIGATION.
Nothing bt tier delights IN bOuntiful irrigation
than small fruits strawberries, currans and the
like. Tho quantity and quality are increased by
plentiful watering Of the plants in early summer.
Rain water, saved from the roofs Of all out,build-
ings In cheap tanks above ground high enough 10
dow the water 10 the garden, will amply pay the
cost In the increased production which It VIII
cause CanlhOwers, In fact all the brdsicd tribe,
Yield much better, for plentiful watering and Of
better quality, II all the large printing houses,