PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLCB. 229 



ducting power of iron, as compared to the conducting power of 

 water, is as four hundred millions to one. The electrical size of 

 the mass of lightning rods are not as large as a common knitting 

 needle, being reduced by so small a portion of the rod's surface 

 coming in contact with damp earth. 



Another error is in constructing the rod in sections. Rods prop- 

 erly applied of perfect continuity, being all in one piece, without 

 coupling or hooking, have never failed to carry the quantity of 

 electricity that may have passed upon them safely and success- 

 fully to the ground ^ while the sectioned, or the rods hooked or 

 screwed together by burs or nuts, have frequently failed to do 

 their duty. Scarcely a day or a week passes during the summer 

 months, but we hear of the failure of the coupled lightning rods. 



However well the fact of electrical conduction may be known — 

 however well scientific men may be agreed that by the judicious 

 employment of metallic bodies we may increase protection against 

 lightning, certain it is that they have taken too much upon trust, 

 and neglected the investigation of the facts. 



Men, ignorant of every electrical principle, have professed t6 

 furnish security against lightning until the scientific electrician 

 who attempts to sell lightning-rods is received with jeers and con- 

 tempt as an attempted swindler; his story is listened to with 

 impatience, and his presence considered an intrusion. 



The rod he recommends is made of four copper and four iron 

 wires laid together, with a pointed cap on the top', and some 

 metal plates at the bottom. There must never be a splice in the 

 wire, but several wires carried up from the ground in the main 

 body, may be taken off and connected with the metal roof of a 

 building, or with other points. 



The following extract of an article in The JYew England Farmer 

 was also read. The writer says : 



"I sat and saw the streaming fire issuing from the clouds and 

 coming down in every fantastic shape, some zigzag, some in such 

 large bolts as to split into branches, but all tending directly to 

 the earth, to the horror of all people-, and more especially of those 

 who had barns well stowed with new hay. The shower contin- 

 ued till near night, with a frightful roaring and violent discharges 

 of heaven's artillery, till every one seemed to be impressed that 

 the damage must have been very great in the destruction of life 

 and property as far as the shower extended. 



"Reports have been afloat that barns were struck in the towns 



