The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-09
RAIN MAKING A SUCCESS.

Recent experiments in rain maxim,
seem to have demonstrated the thor
ough practicability OF that new featur,
in the promotion of agricultural inter
ests. Senator Farwell, Of Illinois, il
already known as q very clever poll
tician, a remarkably successful man,and
a hard headed and useful legislator, but
it seems that his particular, and rather
unique title in history will be the father
Of rain making in America. He is the
first of our American legislators to in
troduce a bill to experiment for the
artificial production of rain. Last year
he secured an appropriation of $4,000
for this purpose, and in accordance with
its provision Gen. r. G. Dyrenforth,
and a corps Of specialists, have
conducted a series of very successful ex-
periments. After considerable search
he found a ranch in Texas, which is be-.
lieved to be the dryest part of America.
Here he established his plant and pro-
duced gases, which were exploded in the
air by means of balloons. The tri-
umphant result is thus described by a
New York paper:
The night was beautifully clear, and not
a cloud could be seen. The heavens were
dotted with stars, and from all indications
it was safe to predict that no rain would
fall within forty-sight hours at the least.
A strong gale was blowing towards the
west. Five balloons were sent up and ex-
ploded, and 200 pounds of raokarock pow-
der and 100 pounds Of dynamite set of on
the ground. There was, of course, no i'm
mediate result. The barometer was rising
and the needle was pointed at fair.
by three o'clock in the morning a bank
of clouds appeared on the western horizon
at the point toward which tho smoke and
noise had blown. The sky rapidly became
overcast, and by four O'Clock there was
rain. accompanied by thunder and light
ming. When the sun rose, it was seen that
the storm had COM directly out of the
west, and on the horizon the clouds rose in
a hume shape, like the smoke from a
volcano. There was a beautiful rainbow
visible at sunrise. 1t ceased raining at
about eight O'Clock.
Certain atmospheric conditions are
needed to begin with. When there are
high air currents, charged with moist
ure, it seems practically certain that by
explosives the moisture may be con-
densed and precipitated into rain. Sen
ator Farwell's idea that the government
should give generous aid to the further
encouragement of this plan seems we'll
founded. He expects that Secretary
Rusk will ask the governments for a
million dollars or moro for yearly rain
making, although, of course, there are
objections, as he says, ITO any state
community making rain on its own
hook"
Irrigation is no longer an experiment.
Enough has been shown to demonstrate
that the results of this system are in all
respects as good as those produced by
rain fall, while the element Of
reliability is always assured. There are,
however, many sections in the United
States which cannot be irrigated be-
cause of the lack of water, and for these
Senator Farwell's scheme of
rain making will prove of inestimable
value. The time seems to have come
when the art of man has harnessed ma
ture into a discipline most gratifying
for the future of agricultural interests.