The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-16

CsnnonadinE ~ Rsin Producer Some
Notable Examples

Just previous TO the great fire in Chicago, in
1871. Mr.. Edward Powers published book on
the theory of producing rain by artificial
means The plates were destroyed by the ire
and tho book was not republlshed. A new
edition was issued last year bringing forward
the authors theories. and the recent agitation
of the subject causes his data b be OK great
interest Mr. Powers theory, says tho OH
cago Inter Ocean, is in brief that there ~
great and ever constant current OF ar moving
eastward and northeastward over the United
States which bears along with 1t a mass OK
aqueous yapor. All our storms, except few
from the Gulf of Mexico. originate III This
current Ii is from this current borne along
at high elevation that he would bring ram
by conclusion or by atmospheric disturbance
produced by heavy artillery firing. But Mr..
Powers lays more stress on facts than on
theory.
The record shows that there had been no
rain before the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico;
for several months. Three showers followed
the first DAYS engagement. On the second
days fight there was severe cannonading be,
tween and 10 A. III. Immediately atterward
there was a violent rainfall After the battle
no rain fell in that locality for months. Al
Monterey n remarkably heavy rain succeeded
tho storming of the forts. The battle OF
Cherebusco was fought on bright and clear
day The next day it rained violently. Inc
battle of Moline del Rey. fought September
8. 1s47, was followed in the afternoon and
evening by hard rain. Rain fell after other
heavy battles in Mexico and in the war OK
the Rebellion scores of cases are gwen III
which rain fell after heavy artillery firing
The battle Of Bull Run was fought on the
Dist of July. 1861. The day of the battle was
bright and clear all through. but the next day
was one Of drenching rain. The bombardment
To MA on ma u nf A M
1862. The day WAS bright and clear until
about o'clock, when the sky became over
spread with clouds and there was a rainfall for
three hours. The first days fight at Shiloh
was followed by night of drenchng rain.
The second days battle was succeeded in the
night by fearful storm. In October. 1862.
there was q drouth in Kentucky. Just after
the battle of Perryyille there was heavy rain.
The battle of Stone river wGs fought in mid
winter On the "a of January was the heayi-
est cannonading ever witnessed in q Western
battle. Two hours after that fierce artillery
firing rainstorm set in which continued
through the night. At the battle Of Chicka-
maugua there WAS comparatively little artll-
lery firing and there was on each day OF battle
a dense fog with light rains over portion OF
the field The battle of Mission Ridge was
followed by rain. The battle of Nashville,
December Is and 16, 1864. was followed by
one of the most tremendous rains ever
noticed in that locality. Much the same
record holds good as to the great battles IN
Europe.
Mr. Powers places more stress upon these
facts than upon the theories of Professor
Maury and others. He offers several explain
atoms as TO why conclusion should produce
rain. One Of these is to the effect that vast
quantities of aqueous yapor arc at all times
passing over us from the Pacific Ocean. The
existence of an extremely cold current above
the vapor-bearing current gives reason t. be-
lieve that the conditions necessary 10 produce
rain are always present, and that the occur
renee Of heavy rains after battles give reason
to believe that the process by which clouds
and rain are formed from the invisible vapor
can at any time be set in motion by concus-
sion. Other specialists claim that If concus-
sion at the earth's surface disturbs the vapor
bearing current in way TO pre- 1pltate rain
that conclusion at a high elevation will be
more effective, hence the experiments with
balloons.