[identity profile] mme-hardy.livejournal.com 2012-11-19 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
And I'd never heard it! Off to consult Saint Google.

[identity profile] ritaxis.livejournal.com 2012-11-19 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
To be fair, the doctrine was formulated during a high-rain period in the Midwest/West, when it really did seem like everywhere they started farming the rain would increase for a while.

It didn't last, of course.

[identity profile] scentofviolets.livejournal.com 2012-11-19 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Have you by any chance heard this one: "You can catch a bird by shaking salt on its tail." (Courtesy of Grandma Opal) Some people have and some haven't, but there doesn't seem to be much geography to the divide.

[identity profile] rpresser.livejournal.com 2012-11-21 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
Actually saw this used in a Woody Woodpecker cartoon once.

(Anonymous) 2012-11-19 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
The history of the Nebraska State Forest is diagnostic - unfortunately I can't find a link right now, but as I was told it, someone around the turn of the last century planted a fairly extensive area of mixed-grass prairie in the vicinity of the Sand Hills with trees, on the assumption that this would bring the rain.

They're still there. Never did bring much rain, though.