The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-12-08
LIGHTNING Rods.
Some Statements Which Seem ~
Call in Question the Rod
Agents Veracity.

DR.. Geo. Thurber In American Agriculturisc
First. As to the rod jteelf. u is we'll
known that copper b mueh better conductor
Of electricity than iron, but II ID 20 expensive
that iron is most generally used, making the
rod much larger than would be necessary II
1t were Of copper. The shape Is OF NO coiise-
quence, and the twists and grooves In some
"patentedn rods are merely to beguile the ig-
norant The rod may be Of 7-i6-inch iron, or
it may be fat strip an inch wide and
s,-lCths Of an inch thick II more convenient
to procure, larger iron may be used, but IL
should not be smaller than three sizes. Ii II
very importgnt that the rods he continuous.
The pieces of round iron may be joined by
couplings, which are cut with scrcw-thread
on the inside, while the ends OF the rods are
made to fit. The portions are usually Joined
by welding.
Second. The manner Of fastening to the
building. At one time it was customary TO
pass the rod through glass ring, which was
fastened To the building, and the rod thus
kept from contact with it. But insulators OF
this kind are quite useless, for as soon as they
are wet they cease to insulate. The rod may
be attached by staples. There is not the
least danger that lightning will leave the rod
To pass into the house by way OF the staples.
Hat rod may Ire fastened by strap Of iron
fashioned TO clasp it. Should the rod he
painted Some years ago there was an idea
that tho conducting power Of the rod would
be injured by painting 1t. This is not true.
Paint the rod of any color that will make 1t
o. inconspicuous as possible.
Third. How far will rod protects The
old rule was that a rod would protect an
area with a radius twice as great as the hight
of the rod. In practice little attention Is
paid to this rule, it being customary to pro-
vide each chimney with rod, which, I'm most
houses, will bring them much nearer than
the above rule requires. Each chimney
should have n rod, connected with the main
rod, which runs along the peaks Of the roof
and to the ground. Upon all ordinary build
ings but one main rod is needed. IL there IL
a roof of tin or other metal, this an well as all
iron crpstngs and other ornaments, should be
connected with the rod.
Fourth The upper end Of the rod For
merly much stress was placed upon having
the rod terminated above very sharp point
which should be kept gilded to protect IL from
rust and later, platinum points were used
At present neither of these are regarded nee
essary. The rod extends foot or two above
the top of the chimney, and is filed to point
The various ornamental crestings much used
OH DulluluRS anSWcT as ponibs. IL tue CIttHi-
ney is a long distance from the gable-end Of
the seof, il is well to place a short upright
piece M rod there, which should Of course, 10
pointed.
Fifth. The lower end Of the rod. The
mere placing Of the lower end Of the rod in
the ground, sd that it will be out of sight,
will make the rod intended rs u protection a
source Of danger, and the building would be
safer without it. The whole object of thS
rod is to carry off the electricity quietly, aud
its usefulness depends upon proper termina-
tion in the ground. Dry earth is poor con-
ductor; moistor wet earth is good conduc-
tor. The l1Her end of the rod should reach n
place wbyfe the earth, in the dryest time, is
alwaySfnoist. Some dig down to this point
and then surround the lower end of the rod
for few feet with coke, which absorlrs mois
| ture and is an excellent conductor. The ease
of finding a moist stratum for the rod will
differ with the locality, but it should always
| be secured.