The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-03
CoNDENsING RAIN.
Novel Scheme to Produce a Downpour
with Captive Balloon.

A Novel Scheme to Produce a Downpour
with Captive Balloon.
From The San Francisco Chronicle
The remarkable powers and adaptability Of
the electric current to the use of society has
been further demonstrated by an invention
which has at least the charm of novelty This
is nothing more nor less than q patent to open
the windows of heaven at the will OF man, and
Michel Cahill NJ. d., of this city, claims the
honor of the invention.
The doctor returned to town few DAYS ago
from Washington, where he went to secure
patent and bring before the notice of the gov
eminent his strange contrivance. He was seen
yesterday afternoon by Chronicle reporter, to
whom he briefly explained the proposal.
81 expect to see the sage-brush deserts of Ne
braska and Nevada under cultivation and af-
fording paSturage for thousands Of cattle in q
few years" began the doctor. "Should the
government adopt my patent, by its use there
need not be an acre OF waste land ON the whole
continent.
"By what extraordinary means DO you intend
to tap the clouds and interfere with the laws OF
nature? 2" queried the reporter.
simply by q condenser OF captive balloon and
an electric cable placed wherever the rain is
required. have long believed that rain could
be produced by artificial means, and | have
warked at this hobby of mine for several years
ever since [ left college, in fact. You see,
ffSt OF all, Vapor as it asccnds receives heat
from the solar rays, which also impels it up
ward until restricted by the cold. The vesices,
or deWdropS, being crowded together become
electrified and float on the air at an altitude of
from three to five thousand feet all that is re-
CURED then to produce rain is to intercept
these vescles by artificial means. What |
have invented is u condenser of peculiar shane
ana construction, and connected with the
earth by an electric cable. Whenever the We
slcIes come INTO contact with the condenser or
current they are broken up and the water
forced to the ground with great rapidity The
rain will be produced by the same law as causes
condensation on windCw-pane The surface
of the glass is covered with inicroscopic points
and on becoming chilled the layer Of air next
it falls, allowing the yapor to flow to the points
and from thence to the ground
~ on Will require gigantic balloon for such
purpose, was suggested.
80. no. A condenser of about two hundred
feet in diameter will bring down solneth;np
like twenty-five million gallons a dav. or a9
much as would irrigate almost half of this
state. Ihe volume OF water can be devised or
formed into rivers, whichever may be desired -
CIV hat will be the cost Of erecting and fitting
up one of these condensers?''
The condenser will he Of especially pre-
pared non, and have received an estimate
from Il wcll-known manufacturer who placed
the cost at $3.50; another $500 would easily
fit it up
What arc the opinions of.experts on the
matter, doctor?'
We'll, when I brought my plan before them
at first they were mostly skeptical but | have
got great many Of them round since While
in Washington / submitted it to the 1neteoro-
logical department, where ] am known. and 10
the heads Of the geodetic survey, and both be-
NeYed ii to be practicable; indeed tho for,,o o.,
body sent an endorsement to the secretary of
the interior to have its efficacy tested Iexiect
II will be some months yet. however. before
they, will do anything at headquarters" added
the doctor.
Since his return the inventor has had several
interviews with Lieutenant J. T.. Mansfield
the head Of the local signal service. The doc
tor is also in communication with number Of
local capitalists with view to the formation
rights Eere and abroad, and it is needless 10
add that he is enthusiastic as a land boomer
over its ultimate acceptance and success.
The Chinese regard the eye Of a cat as an in
faIs ir III atcr OK ihe tine Of day Ihcy 20 l, the
c7niIae tonenI crT&asion Of the pupil oC the eve.
."n--u IS Influenced W ine approaching OF receding
strength Of the sunlight