RAIN MAKING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2261, 1 October 1891, Page 4

RAIN MAKING.

The Argus of Tuesday says : Mr Ellery is inclined to be sceptical respecting the reported artificial production of rain from cloudless skies in Kansas, United States. It was long ago observed that heavy cannonading was sometimes followed by the fall of rain, and that under certain conditions the precipitation of rain clouds could be brought about, but unless tint moisture is present in the atmosphere in some form or other, Mr Ellery considers that the production of rain is a physical impossibility. When fuller authentic reports are received from the United States, he expects to find that the atmospheric conditions at the time of the alleged successful'experiments were very dfferent from those indicated in the cable messages already received. Even if a passing cloud be tapped by an explosion in its vicinity it would be impossible for continuous rain—such as would meet the need of the drought-stricken farmer—to follow, unless the condensation of vapor in the upper regions of the air was sufficiently advanced to supply the requisite conditions. Experiments in that direction were made on an elaborate scale by Protessor Pepper, of the London Polytechnic, and when that gentleman visited Australia some years ago he made many attempts to produce rain artificially in Queensland, with results that were completely negative. The subject has not been mentioned lately in any of the scientific journals, but if there is any truth in the reports from America -they are sure to be fully investigated.