452 
THP TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
.[January I, 1892. 
(filled with a mixture of hydrogen nod oxygen 
which would produce terrifie ' air-quakee ’ at in- 
tervale of one to two hours during the day or during 
the continuance of the operation." 
Some diOloulty waa oxpcrienoed with the kites 
their wires being often broken by the strong wind 
which prevailed, and oonaectuently the dynamite 
explosions at high altitudes seem to have been a 
iailure, but the rest of the project was executed 
with results which are beat described in General 
Diyrentorth'a own words The first operation 
was made on August 0. At this time the balloon 
apparatus had not been set up, and only the first 
line of ground explosions was brought into action. 
The ground batteries were operated for about an 
hour, beginning at 5 p.m., August 9, and reopened 
again for a shorter time at about 7 p,m. Tho 
weather was clear on the 9th, and the barometer 
stood at its nominal height at 7 p.m. At noon 
of the 10th clouds began to gather directly over 
the ranch, and during the afternoon and the evening 
a very heavy rain fell — nearly two inches — trans- 
forming the road ways into rushing torrents, and 
every hollow into a small lake." The next oper- 
ation waa performed on August 18, tho ground 
batteries being kept in action for twelve hours, 
and the balloon explosions being also brought into 
play. The meteorological instruments gave no 
indication of approaching bad weather, but " late 
in the afternoon heavy clouds gathered and farmed, 
and rain fell in torrents for 2^ hours over tho 
entire southern and eastern portion of Andrews 
Ooitnty and most of Midland County and the 
counties to the south and west of it." 
The third and final operation was begun at 11 a.m. 
on August 25. At 8-30 tho barometric pressure 
waa slightly below the normal, but the atmosphere 
was very dry. The wind blow from the south- 
east fthe usual direction) at a velocity of lS-8 
miles per hour, and the sky waa clear, except lor 
a tew very light scattered cumulus clouds, esti- 
mated to be at a height of more than two and a 
half miles. Seven balloons were exploded, and 
the ground batteries seem to have been in action 
for twelve hours. " At 11 p.m. the firing ceased, 
and our weary party immediately retired tor the 
night. At 3 a.m., however, the heavy rolling of 
thunder disturbed the sleepers, and, looking out to 
the west and north, heavy banka of cloud were 
seen advancing, almost constantly lighted by moat 
brilliant lightning. An hour later the rain began 
to fall in torrents en the ranch, and did not 
cease till 8 a.m. The northern portions of this 
country received the most thorough watering they 
have bad lor the past three years, and the re- 
ports from incoming cowboys indicate that the 
storm extended over many hundreds of square 
miles. Besides these three heavy storms, which 
ooeured after the principal operations," continues 
General Dyronforth, "not less than nine showers 
of much less importance occurred during the six- 
teen days of our experiments — a moat extraordinary 
ocourence in this locality, end especially at this 
season of tho year. That these results were not 
E rodoced at an excessive expense of material may 
e seen from the fact that in the entire series of 
experiments only two tons of iron, one ton of 
eulpburio acid, a quarter of a ton of chlorate of 
potash and manganese dioxide, and one ton of 
Taok*a-rook powder and other explosives were con- 
sumed, none of which are expensive materials." 
In the opinion of General Dyrenforth, these 
experiments clearly demonstrate, first "that the 
ooncussiona from explosions exert a marked and 
practical effect upon the atmospheric conditions 
in producing rainfall, probably by disturbing the 
upper ourionts ; " and secondly, ‘* that when the 
atmosphere is in a ‘ threatening ’ condition — which 
is frequently the case in most arid regions without 
any rain resulting — rain oan be caused to fall 
almost immediately by jarring together the par- 
ticles of moisture which hang in suspension in tho 
air. This result was repeatedly effected during 
our operations, the drops sometimes commonciog 
to fall within twelve seconds from the moment of 
the initial explosion ,” — Public Opinion, 
mDIAN TEA DISTKIOTS ASSOCIATION. 
BsUOIgLIION OF Sul'PLIUS. 
The following oorreapondenoe relating to this im- 
portant subject — to which we are aeked to givo 
pablicity — speaks for itself. We hope the brokers, 
whose responsibility in this matter is very great, wilt 
Rive due weight to the evident desire both of im- 
porters and dealers, and not print toas for sale until 
they are quite ready to be sampled : — 
Indian Tea Oiatriols Association, 
Nov, dth, 1891. 
W. O. Price, Esq-, Secretary, 
Tea ifrukors’ Association of Louduu, 
118, Uunster Uouse, E. C. 
Dear Sir, — My committee bad under their considera- 
tion yesterday the complaints of the trade with regard 
to the short time allowed for sampling and tasting 
teas olfored for sale, and tliey desired me to 
call your attention to the remarks of the Produce 
Markets' Review of the 31st ult. on the subject. 
Sines tlien I have received a letter trom the chairman 
of the Wholesale Tea Dealers' Assoiiutiou, a copy of 
which I enclose, and will thank you to take an early 
opportunity to lay tho same before the liroXers' Asso- 
ciatiou, as it rests with them in a great measure to 
meet the reasonable requirements of the irsde. 
I shall be glad to learn lor the in formation ot my 
committee, what steps are .taken in the matter, — Yours 
faitlifully, EHNBsr Ttx, Secretary. 
Pivduce Market^ Rcoiow, Oct. 31, 1891. 
" If the importers ooutinuo to focee their teas 
on the market in opposition to a declining enquiry, 
which is sure to take place shortly, as the retailer 
will to a groat extent, be absorbed in attending to 
other goods, t hoy must be prepared for a further de- 
cline in the comparatively moderate prices now ruling 
No effort appears to have been made to give a reason 
able lime to sample the teas previous to tbe day of 
sale. In several oases this week catalogues have been 
issued only a day or two prior to the sales being held, 
oonsequoatly the toss were not ready for sampling 
when applied for, which necessitates a second applica- 
tion, and precludes the trade giving tho attention to 
the teas they otherwise would do if a reasonable time 
were allowed for sampling and valuing." 
London AYholesale Tea Dealers' Association, 
4, Feuohnroh Street, E.O., Nov. 3cd, 1891. 
Ernest Tye, Esq., Secretary Indian Tea Districts 
Association, 
Dear Sir,— I am directed by my committee to draw 
your attention to the inconvenience caused by the 
short time which is frequently allowed for sampling 
tea. In some oases the samples can only bo obtained 
the day before a public sale, and often on tbs day 
of sale, and as there are many breaks it is often im- 
possible to carefully taste tho samples. As this system 
is opposed to the interests of the importer as well as 
the buyer, I trust your committee will take the suk, 
ject into their favourable consideration, and arrange 
the public sales so that reasonable tims may be.al- 
lowed for drawing andj tasting all samples. — Yours 
faithfully, 5 (Signed), Pbanois Pbek, Chairman. 
— H. and C. Mail, Nov. 6th. 
THE COAL INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA. 
[The following report oamo to us, marked, in 
a copy of the Newcastle Daily Chronicle, and so 
wo insert it ; but our readers will agree with us that 
Mr. EekhoHti of Java would have done well to have 
