Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-11-15
CAN We DO TIT
II Il Possible to lncroaee ano
Euuallzo the Rainfall In West.
orn Kaneae7
A Scheme or TWo Which We Think and PesfeioeiS
Believe Would Work.
Ifit Can be Done Millions of Dollars viii be ADDED
to Lane counfy's Wealth.

|
fht Can BE- Done Millions of Dollars win be Addet
J. to Lane co0nfy's Wealth.
Long has it been the favorite mot
to in Western Kansas that ''the great
American desert shall blossom as the
rose." Much has been said about the
hot winds that in certain seasons OF
the year have swept across our state
blasting the hopes of the people at
they watched the whitening crops
There is now no question but what
Lane county will produce as abund
ant crops as can be had anywhere in
the world if the rainfall could be
equalized and increased, and the hot
winds diminished. Now, we are not
of the opinion that these hot winds
originate away down south somewhere
and blow here, but we believe they
originate right here Just the cause
We are little at loss to prove: but
there must be something about the at
mosphere that produces a reflection
and concentration of the suns rays,
making intense heat, when just the
right condition of the atmosphere is
attained. Those who have noticed
the effect of the hot winds know that
many times the crop within q few
hundred feet of the injured portion
remains uninjured. This may be
either north, south, east or west.
Taking into consideration this fact,
we cannot believe that the same heat
travels for hundreds of miles. In
some OF our central counties we find
that the crops were injured only in
localities, while IN other parts of the
county abundance has been raised.
This has been the case even where
one part of the county had as much
rain as the other.
We are of the opinion that more
moisture is needed by the atmosphere.
The question presents itself as to how
this want can be supplied. In Lane
county there is what is known as
"sheet water" found at depths rang
ing from 35 to 80 feet Our first
plan to get more moisture in the at
mosphere is for eight-foot wells to be
dug on each section in the county.
These wells to be supplied with large
windmills which are to be kept con-
stantly running the year refund. Just
think what a vast amount of. water
could be pumped out to be formed in
to pools and lakes. Wherever it was
convenient the water might be used
for irrigation purposes. Evaporation
taking place continually would soon
make moist atmosphere. Rain
clouds would be attracted, and in a
few years we could make a grand
change in the agricultural condition
of the county. Suppose other western
counties would pursue tho same
course. What man is there who
could contemplate any other result
than that rainfall would be had, and
''the new west" would surprise the
world by the abundance of her pro-
ducts. Each of these wells, fitted out
with one of those large, powerful
mills, would not cost on an average
more than 1915.
In this connection we will give our
readers a description of an invention
of
HOW TO MAKE 1T RAIN.
The following taken from the San
Francisco Chronicle, will explain it.
self:
The remarkable powers and adapta-
bility of the electric current to the use
of society have been further demon
strated by an invention which has at
least the charm of novelty. This is
more nor less than patent to open
the windows of heaven at the will of
man. and Michael Cahill, NJ. D. of
this city, is the inventor.
81 expect to see the sage brush
deserts of Nebraska, Kansas and Ne
vada under cultivation and afFording
pasturage for thousands of cattle in a |
few years" began the Doctor 'Should
the government adopt my patent, by