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<br />.' <br /> <br />\.'\.~~ <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />We do not mean to imply by this description that we know all we <br />need to know, nor tlJat we are ready for a fully operational cloud <br />seeding project. Take, for eXllmple, the "Opportunity Recognizer" <br />function. We know that nuclei are necessary for precipitation, <br />but we do not know if 1,000 nuclei per cubic meter are enough, <br />too many, or too few. The "Treater" function selects the delivery <br />system, but we cannot always tell if it is better to seed from <br />the ground or from the air, given a particular set of circum- <br />stances. A major portion of our present program is aimed at <br />solving such problems as these in each of the four functions. <br />The numerous gaps in knowledge must be filled before the ulti- <br />mate procedures for increasing precipitation and streamflow can <br />be achieved. The task of filling these gaps is a complex one <br />which requlres th€ best efl'ons or meteorolog~Sl..~, C.l.oua physicists, <br />engineers, and social scientists. <br /> <br />B. Nature of the program <br /> <br />A comprehensive and vigorous research program in cloud seeding <br />requires more talent, facilities, and manpower than any one <br />Government agency, university, or private organization can supply. <br />For this reason, the Bureau of Reclamation conducts much of its <br />research through contracts with competent groups wherever they <br />may be found. For the purposes of thls paper, the work performed <br />can be divided into four categories: (l) Planning, (2) field <br />experiments, (3) laboratory studies, and (4) theoretical research. <br />In reality, of course, these activities are not isolated functions, <br />but ra.ther they tend to merge. <br /> <br />1. Program plalUlil"lg <br /> <br />Program planning is done primarily by Bureau of Reclamation <br />persol1l1el, but we receive valuable contributions from our <br />contractors. Proper plalUling accomplishes several objectives. <br />It provides Congress with a description of tIle program, its <br />goals, and the means to achieve these goals. Congress can <br />then make the proper appropriation of funds to support the <br />program. Once money has been made available to the Bureau, <br />further, more ael;"l.~"t.i V-,-.,Illlllig ,,<>tiw.... l..ue optimum utilization <br />of these funds by contracts with tHose groups best qualified <br />to contribute to the program. In addition to money, proper <br />planning leads to effective utilization of talent and personnel, <br />including the increasingly important function of developing <br />ne..y talent. <br /> <br />2. Field experiments <br /> <br />The objectives of field experiments are to learn how beGt t.o <br />use available knowledge, to uncover new knowledge, and to <br /> <br />II <br />