The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-12-17

49, Sore EyG5,
SANE. Testers, Etc
lREODlNG & Co. ru,cr, sn CTS.
aid of this instrument, n rain coulh
be predicted from To ~
hours before its occurrence Ana
when the atmosphere was NJ.
fected by u change of tho wlnd
at a great distance, the instrument m
dicated likewise tho change. Inc 40
gree of humidity regulated tho action
of the instrument.
The present rain makers, under tho
patronage of the government, Judging
from the nature Of their experiments,
believe that rain is accelerated IN
thunder storm, by intonation alone.
Therefore they resort to explosives 10
invite rain to the earth. We Will not
say that these experiments are not
always without some effect; as they
may in mild way effect disturb
ance of the clouds; but never to cause
a general rain, unless the necessary
electrical conditions of the clouds are
present at the same time. Their ex-
periments are conducted on wrong
principle, and will prove failure. 1t
is we'll that they are made, but they
will succeed better il made on diff
ferent basis.
There Is no doubt that artificial rain
can be induced, as there is at no place,
and at any time, lack OF
water in the clouds. We have
much to learn how to do it, as to time,
selection Of the clouds to be operated
upon, and by what process to follow
the Laws of nature. But these we can
decide upon. What we want is not so
much to act on the atomic structure
of the clouds as to change their
electrical conditions. The former Will
be without avail, but the latter can be
readily effected, and at a compare
lively small expense.
1t appears if there is any plan OF a
commercial value to make IAN, IL Is
/ by the following arrangement: Inc
means to be used are dynamo, bal
I loon, and wire of peculiar structure
/ Take copper wire that is insulated
/ three-fourths of its length for the ter
restrial end, the other fourth is to be
naked, somewhat spiral and DarDed
with silver points and fastened 10
/ balloon. The balloon ascending with
/ the wire pending from it is to let 1t go
as high as possible. After the ascen-
/ sion the wire IS charged to its utmost
from dynamo. For several reasons
an arc-light is attached tOthe balloon.
/ The cleo rical current is kept up TOR
| about twenty-four hours, or until the
/ buoyancy of the balloon is nearly eX'
/ hausted. But from what has been
/ said of the electrical effects OF light
ming, in this experiment we can blow
/ both hot and cold. What is to be ac-
complished is to destroy the electrical
equilibrium of a given field Of clouds.
If the supply of electricity, should not
indicate favorable results then work
on the clouds by abstraction. That Is
instead of feeding the dynamo from
the earth, let it be fed from the clouds.
There is nothing eXtravagent in the
latter suggestion when we take into
consideration what limits the clouds
to a certain height, and the nubeous
electricity with it. There is an cleo,
trical force that carries to the clouds
and there partly condensed by cold
air it becomes too heavy for further
ascension. The force Of gravitatior
becomes equal to the electrical force
BY abstracting the force OF the latter
coalescence will result for the law o
, gravitation unresisted will exercise it,
, full force. a rain produced by this
methoI would always be gentle anC
, unaccOmpanied by violent storms anC
lightning. But where we reverse the
action, by forcing electricity into The
clouds, would be like Franklin's kite
an experiment to be conducted witt
scientific skill to be safe.
In applying these silver barbs
which should be but few inches IL
length, we have not only their midi
cations from practical results, but
what nature itself teaches in the
most direct manner In portions o
, Texas where almost yearly drouthS
occur, and with great damage to vege'
, tation, the spicuiar form of plants as
the yuccas, the cacti, the chappara
and the dasylirion TeXanum, through
the dryest season continue green anC
: thrifty, and the caCti in particular
well saturated with water. This cal
, oe readily explained. The evapora
, ton conducted on our theory woulC
, be that the vapor as it leaves the
: earth is electrically attracted by these
vegetable barbs. The electricity il
9 taken up by the plant, and returns
! back to the earth, leaving the water
to be taken up endosmoses. All this
is mostly a nocturnal operation, wher
the dew is formed, and when the
electro carriers are but little, aided by
: heat, and therefore their feeble condi
= ton.
What these small vegetable barb'
feebly effect, but few inches or fee
from the ground, may be effected witt
silver barbs high in the clouds under
the powerful influence of a dynamo.
n-a. E:f1--