The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-08-06
THE WEATHER.
The Production Of Rain.
BY LIEUT.. J. P. FINLEY. U. S. SIGNAL SERVICE

BIZ t u. p FINLEY u s. SIGNAL SERVICE
Correspondence invited suggestions desired
and information cheerfIlly furnished. Every eE
fort employed to make this Bureau Of practical use
20 our readers. All communications should be adj
dressed-WeGiheT, THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Office
Washington. ID. OF
There Is no one meteorological element sc
important in its bearing on the welfare Of man.
kind as the precipitation Of moisture from the
heavens. From the FIRST appearance OF the
rainbow, with its significant promise from the
Almighty, down TO the present time, the peo-
pie Of all Nations and tribes have manifested
the greatest interest in the occurrence of rain
Moisture in the form Of water, is 80 mercifu
a provision for the comfort Of mankind. and
such an absolute necessity in a multitude o
ways. that il is not at all wonderful that its
production frequently becomes the subject ol
prayer and the deep concern of Nations. Many
forms Of the animal and vegetable Kingdoms
suffer severely from the extreme excess OF
marked deficiency Of rainfall, and practically
ali forms Of life are interested in its occur
renee.
In times Of great drought and much suffering
history shows that ali races of people have
sought artificial and religious means to hasten
the occurrence Of rain. Hardly year passes
without severe drought in some parts Of the
United States, and the appeal by prayer OF
both priest and layman for deliyerance there
from.
From Nov. 1. 1890, to Feb. 10, 1891, so little
rain fell in California that the greatest anx-
iety ensued. Animals and crops suffered badly.
Prayers were offered in many churches, and
special appeals were made 20 Providence. A few
days afterward the rain fell cOpiously, many
doubtless believing that the precipitation was
accomplished through the direct intervention
Of prayer. The actual fIcts in the case were
that all the storms were passing by California
so far to the nOrthWard that the rain area did
not reach southwark into the State The effect
Of these storms simply gave rise to elOudiness
in California, with lack Of energy sufficient to
make the condensation rapid enough to in
crease the size Of the drops of water until their
weight would cause them to fall 70 the earth.
Clouds are simply rain in the air, the drops be-
ing so small that they cannot descend to the
earth, the air supporting them.
During severe drOuths the American In
dians engage in the religious ceremony of their
Medicine dance for rain. The dance usually
continues from three to six days, and is com
meneed after the drOuth has continued for q
long time. Rain frequently follows within a
short time after tho termination of the dance,
not of course through its influence, but from
perfectly natural causes. Nature constantly
seeks normal condition Of things. Her efforts
are constantly directed toward the restoration
Of equilibrium among physical forces. There
have been long periods without rain where rain
usually falls but no such thing as absolute
cessation.
Accidental dispositions Of barometric pres
sure may, and do, shunt storm of from its
usual course and greatly delay the reappear-
ance of another disturbance which will give
the much needed rain, but come it will while
the earth has its present atmosphere and the
sun shines upon it.
A careful study Of the daily weather map Of
the Signal Service will do much to enlighten
the people on this subject. Religious ceremony
undoubtedly relieves the anxiety Of the faith
full and superstitiOus, but knowledge and COM
mon sense will realize the most practical re-
suits.