DEW PONDS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19057, 20 July 1927, Page 7

DEW PONDS.

——♦ CONSTRUCTION AT CANBERRA.. (rBOM OCE OWN COBEESPOXBEST.) SYDNEY, July 14. 'I he fact that portions of Queensland are to-day in the throes ft | drought invests with a special inter- ! est the consideration by the Federal Capital Commission of a scheme f°r the construction at Canberra of what are termed "dew ponds," to ensure ample provision of water for sheep and cattle • during dry sp&lls. "Dew ponds," while they" are not uncommon on the English countryside, although it is difficult to see the necessity for them there, are something (of a mystery to most Australians. The dew ponds at the Federal Capital, which has its dry as well as very wet spells, are to consist of targe excavatioris, the base of which will be covered first with a layer of calcium chloride, next with straw, and lastly with chalk. These ponds jn Great Britain are remarkable for the fact that they are usually full during hot weather when other sources of water have become exhausted. ' They are known in some parts as "mist ponds.'' The general theory is that they draw their moisture from the dews and fogs. Experiments, it x is stated, have shown fairly conclusively that the rise in level of the. dew ponds has coincided with early morning mists. As Canberra in the winter is enveloped in mists and fogs which blot out the whole countryside, and as it is very dry in the summer, it is hoped that the idea will be practicable. If' it proves itself, it will be as manna from heaven not only for Canberra, but for othef parts of Australia as well. No farmer will be without his "dew pond." It is a scheme, in short, to harness the fog and mists.