The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1892-03-04

/. DRyENF ORTIZ. THE RAINhfAKER.
| Report Transmitted 20 the senate by the
Secretary ~ Agriculture Embsd,ing
ss". prseniorth's Report ~ Artificial
Rainfall Experiments. which fe claims
were Moderately They were
only . sseEinnins. However
NAsnrSorox. Feb 20 I'm compile
ance with resolution ~ the senate
Secretary Rusl< Yesterday sent 20 that
body report Of Gen. 4. pyrcnforth,
IN the artificial rainfall experiments
which he conducted ia the arid region
as special agent 81 the department Of
agriculture. The report is voiumlnous
and illustrated with photographs APP
plicable 10 the subject matter. IL
treats ~ the subject from the Begin
ming outlining the history, origin and
theories Of the artificial rainfall
idea. and gives in narrative form de-
tailed account Of the various expert
ments conducted. the results Of which
have been published in the news
papers. In addition to the reports Of
the chiefs Of the several experimental
parties. the report contains state
ment from Eugene Fairchld. mem
Der Of the party. in which he SAYS:
The expedition has completed its
work for the season and the question
is asked: Have the experiments been
successfully" As a member Of the ex-
petition I am convinced that the ex-
periments have been entirely success
fnl. and Furthermore that the scheme
is practicable: the cost being very
small as compared with the benefit
gained. A tax of few cents per acre
would cover the expense of operations
extending over the entire dry season"
Opinions given by spectators are also
included in the report One OF these.
DIR. Taylor. says: II consider the cx-
pertinent highly successful and sin
cerely hope that further experiments
may be tried in this region (San
Diegol"
Gen. Dyrenforth sums mp as follows:
The experiments which have been
made do not furnish sufficient data
from which to form definite conclusions
or evidence on which 10 uphold or con-
denim the theories Of the artificial
production Of rainfall by conclusion.
Experiments extending over period Of
only few months can scarcely be snf-
ficient: it is only by large number OF
tests that definite conclusions can he
reached: and il then it be asccrtaincd
70 be certainty that rainfall will be
induced by explosions. that such pro-
duction of rainfall be reduced TO an art
so as 70 effect precipitation at pre-
determined place. What has been done
50 far is altogether preliminary; but
with the benefit Of the experience
gained. hope the subject will be pur-
sued. At the risk Of being tircsome. |
have embodied in my report the min
ntest details in order that others who
may follow me in this line Of inquiry
may b. fully advised as to what has
preceded. II may be said, however.
that the three principal tests which
have been made. namely. at the &C.
ranch. Midland: at FL Paso and at San
Diego. Tex. TALL under conditions
much more unfavorabIc than need be
encountered in attempts 10 produce
rainfalD supply testimony which would
seem TO point to this inference
present which. il undisturbcd. would
pass away without precipitating its
moisture. the Earring " the cloud by
concessions will cause the particles Of
moisture in suspension to agglomeratc
and fall in greater or less quantity ac-
corsling to the degree Of moisture Of the
air about the cloud
Second That by taking advantage
Of these particles which frequently &C
cur in draughts and in most. il not in
all. sections Of the United States. where
the precipitation is insufficient for veg
citation. and during which the atmos-
pheric conditions favor rainfall. with
ont there being actual rain. precipita-
ton may be caused BY concussion.
Third. That under the most favorn-
bic conditions for precipitation. condi-
tions which need never be taken in
operations to produce rain. storm con-
ditions may be generated and rain be
induced: there being. however. a waste
full expenditure Of both time and ma
terial in overcoming unfavorablc con-
ditions."
Gen. Dyrenforth says that in prose-
cutting the Investigations there was
total expenditure. allowing the regular
rates and prices for all transportation
and other expenses Of the party. and
the material tsume Of which remains
on hand for future cxpcrimentsl Of
abou, si7. 900.
In closing his report Cen Dvrcn-
forth says he diSclaims each and every
statement published concerning the cx-
periments as appearing from him. and
premature and undigested statements
bv any members Of his party were I'm.
authorized.