The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-07-29

ference IL these take the form of thun-
der and lightning or are due to the lib
GRAFTON of expansive gases. The ex-
plosions are Of two kinds. One comes
about by the sudden withdrawal of re-
sistance to expansion Of gases n the
other by the generation of combina-
lions which produce extraordinary en-
ergy. Gunpowder was the first explo-
sive discovered and used. It has been
utilized to expand a wa%terspout and
stop Its progress. But .gunpowder Is
not as powerful by many times as any
OF the nitrates or picrates which have
been combined to make deadly exxplo-
sives.
Ordnance az a check to storms need
not be used. Electricity will fire many
of the most energetic substances, but
will not disturb others. Gun cotton
will not explode. from an electrical spar
but illuminate of mercury will. Load
a she'll at a safe distance from the
town, attach a Illuminating fuse and
hitch on a wire from a battery. Then
when the funnel is well defined and
travels over the charge, touch the but
ton and turn loose the contents of the
shell. The energy thus suddenly de-
veloped, 1t is believed, would be sufi-
cient to interrupt the matinee and
cause the cyclone to go out of circula-
ton at once
While the government has not work.
ed along these lines, it is true that the
subject has been discussed at consid-
cradle length by government officers.
Rainmakers have asserted that repeat
ed conclusions Of the atmosphere ar
tifcially produced will cause the clouds
first to form and then to tilt over and
spill their contents. What was once
laughed at as a rosy dream is no longer
considered as groundless in science.
The air will collect a sufacient amount
Of moisture to bring the dew point
close at hand and then obstinately re-
fuse to go any farther. If the same air
so charged were subjected to a series
Of rude, shocks it might forget, and,
opening its mouth to file a protest.
lose its contents in a refreshing rain.
An explosion Of some $4,000 atmos-
pheres in intensity turned loose when
the elements were surging about at
something near the same force certain
ly might effect such a change in con-
ditions as to dissipate q storm center
and hand it. over to some adjoining
county about half out Of good storms.
AS a purely scientific. chemical propo-
sition this sudden explosion, overcom-
ing all the resistance In sight, ought
to work a decided change. Several
high explosives which can be used with.
perfect safety generate energy OF as
many a~tmospheres as has been men,
toned. II this be true-and It has
been demonstrated countless times
the wrecking Of a storm should be a
mere matter Of detail.
The use Of cannon with shell and
time fuse is the simplest method Of
plying this theory. In this age when
lightning Is chained and made to do
the bidding Of man the shell could be
placed at 9 long distance from the
threatened city and ignited by fulmin-
ate or q direct spark fromsa wire. The
.paraphernalia need not be intricate nor
extensive, for any amateur IN electric
cal lore could rig up q device which
would produce the desired explosion
With absolute certainty. Few towns
10 situated that no good site for
the stationing OF, shell cannot b found.
n4.An.lni. -Hlnk NvalS -.