Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 November 1901 — THE FOOLISH “HAIL SHOOTERS." [ARTICLE]

THE FOOLISH “HAIL SHOOTERS."

Man might as well imitate the habit •of the foolish canine and bay at the moon as to attempt to prevent hailstorms by the use of explosives or by any agencies that are now under his control. This is the substance of the advice •embodied in a recent statement issued by Professor Willis L. Moore, acting secretary of agriculture. The statement was called out by manifestations •of renewed interest in the subject in' various parts of the world, particularly in France and Italy. Attempts have lately been made to prevent hailstorms by the use of explosives from especially designed cannon, but all have ended in failure. Professor Moore calls attention to the fact that scientists in both Europe and America have si own the impossibility of interfering with the great processes of nature that are going on in the atmosphere. Basing their belief on such knowledge of the forces of nature as science has revealed, they affirm that no explosive that can ever be invented by man will be powerful enough to prevent hailstorms.