Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-30
MAKINGRAIN BY ELECTRICITY
Contributor Calls Attention to Magnetic
Connection Of Earth and Cloud.
POSSIBLY WAY OF RELIEF FOR DRY REGIONS
Problem is TO Pierce the Air Stratum
that Separates the HiEh-FIOat-
ing Moisture from the
Earth Below.

In some of the weston states comprising
what is known as the semi-arid regions
including the western portion of the state
OF Nebraska, much attention has recently
been given to methods of soil culture
and irrigation, owing to the fact that the
rainfall is insufficient to produce and ma
ture vegetation
1t Is known fact that impendent rain
clouds often form and are carried over
these regions without meeting with the
proper conditions to bring abuot the ulti-
mate state of condensation from which
rainfall might eventuate.
In that portion of the west, there is a
conspicuous absence of trees and vegeta-
ton Of every kind, except that which is
cultivated. Streams and bodies of water
are widely separated, and both the absence
OF trees and bodies of water, tend to beset
the elements Of the atmosphere in their
final effort to synthesize.
The unsaturated atmosphere between
rain clouds and the earth. FORMS on a large
scale, Franklin plate or condenser. The
particles forming rain clouds, driven here
and there by the wind, finally become heav-
fly charged with positive electricity. The
particles Of vapor, being alike electrified
mutually repulse each other, and. until a
discharge is effected, either abrupt or grad
ually, further condensation is impossible.
Gan Nature BE Assisted
Could nature be assisted in effecting a dis
charge, the particles would readily condense
into drops large enough to make 1t possible
for the force Of gravity to carry them
through the unsaturated strata. Under
present conditions small drops OF rain
penetrate the dielectric strata only short
distance until they are again vaporized and
this rapid evaporation and condensation
produces and increases the charge of cleo
tricity.
Lightning is said to have an electro
motive force of 100000 volts and current
strength Of 14,OOO 900 amperes. This estimate,
however, would not hold good in the semi
arid regions where the resistance of the
atmosphere is greater than that of the
humid regions, due to the greater thickness
of the dielectric strata and for this reason
a discharge which will lberate the particles
forming rainclouds cannot in many cases
be effected
The resistance of the atmosphere could be
reduced materially in various ways. Where
it is saturated by evaporation from streams
and bodies of water it is found to be, to a
certain extent, a conductor of electricity.
Trees and especially tall forest trees con-
tanning oily matter, are very valuable con-
ductors and are the seat of a continuous
current of electricity at all times. A few
trees of this kind, assisted by the evapora-
ton from a stream or lake, would reduce
the resistance between the rainclouds and
the earth several hundred thousand ohms
Factors in Producing Rain.
Dfnxfde Of carbon, formed by the burning
Of wood and other carbons, is, like mois-
ture, a conductor Of electricity. An .electri-
ned body placed In draft containing diox-
ide Of carbon soon loses its charge, and In
consequence of this fact prairie fires forest
fires and battles which occur at time
potent factors in the production of enor-
nous rainfall.
A little consideration OF these facts would
of water which could be formed in the
western part of Nebraska and Kansas by a
systematic method of damming all draws
(the taller the better) would assist nature
very materially in controlling the elements
of the atmosphere, which, IN the form of
rainclouds, so often disappoint the farmer.
The burning of a strawstack, or the start
ing of any large fire at a time when rain
clouds are forming above, might also be
productive of good results In fact, the use
of any method or device which viii pene-
trate the dielectric strata and form a con-
ductor for the discharge of the static cleo
tricity in the clouds might at the opportuuo
moment, result in producing rainfall which
would otherwise be carried by the wind to
"other lands than ours" c. o. B.