The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-11-29
nie,sofoIesy for Farhiers.

| Lieut.. Maury, some few..yeafs ago, sccon-
plshed very useful undertaking when hs
so far Interested navissiofs in his plan Of me.
neurological observations as to engage them
as co-laborators in the work, By which every
vessel opon the ocean was convened into .
foaiing observatory. The benefits 10 CON-
rhetce and navigation have been remarkably
exhibited in the aWind and Cerant Charts .,
which present the most extended series Of
meteorological observations ever undertaken,
and By the experience and laws deducibls
from the facts thus collected, miIlions Of mon
ey are believed 10 be saved annually 10 com.
meree and thousands Of lives 10 ihe country.
This system il Is proposed 10 extend 10 The
land as well as the sea, so that farmers and
planters may be as much benefited By sci:
entihc discovery as the nefchan, and mar
iner. All that is required is the assistance Of
sgriculturalisis themselves. He proposes thas
the farmers and planters should cooperate
all over the country in aregulat and syste.
maic method Of meteorological observations,
The information so collected as to the winds,
rain, aud similar phenomena, is 70 be for
warded TO Washington, and measures are to
be adopted to enlist lie agency Of the Gov.
efnnen, in arranging the facts for publica.
.ioh! Nothing could be more simple than
this planj none could be devised which would
engage greater number of intelligent men
in the undertaking, and which could be ~
economically carried into practice. Tho
county agricultural societies over the country
should adopt the suggestion immediately, and
endeavorto prompis the object The far
mer's interests are identified with those of
commerce, and q co.opefation Of both for
scientific objects, mutually instructive and
beneficial, is one Of the most useful works
in which they can be engaged. There can
be no doub, that the Government will lend
its aid 10 the furtherance Of this great work.
Lieut.. Mauiy states that such an office as will
be required in Washington TO carry out the
details OF this plan is already in existence.-t
II was established by Mr. Calhoun when he
was Secretary of War, and II 10 under the
contfol Of the Surgeon General Of the armv.
The meteorological observations thai are
made at our military posts are discussed and
published al this Office; and zone of The
most valuable and interesting reports con.
cernins the msteorology and climates of ihs
country that have ever appeared is now
in course of publication there" Lieut., Mau.
ry, in broaching bis plan 10 friend, says:
AS for giving the scheme Trial and car
rying il into demonstration far enough TO
show what systematic plan of observations
will do for the advancement of agricultural
meteorology, and for the benefit of farmers
and planters, f'l answer fot the observa-
lions, if Government will pledge the Hieansa
for their discussion and publication. i'l 60
luther, and promise that the observations
shall be furnished 10 the Government for such
purpose vithom cost. You know the ma
terisls for the. wind and Current CharS
were oil furnished graiuitously, and that,
without asking Governments for single cent
we have literally covered the ocesn with
floating observatories, and converted every
chip tina, sails into temple of science. Not
only government, but nations and people
have united with me, and are assisting to, car o
ny out system Of meteorological research
for the sea. As much may be done for the
land, il ihs plan,sfs and farmers of The Uni
led States will only second the effos,a and
tell their Representatives ID Congress that
they want as much done BY the Government,
for agriculture SANITARY ms,sofolosy as il has
permitted 10 be done at sea for the benefit of {
commerce and navigation. By The saving of
time OH The voyage, and the lessening Of the
dangers BY The way, these interests, ii has
been computed, both in this country and in
England, have been benefited to the extent
Of millions annually. Some Of these bsus.
fits have Injured also 10 agriculture, not only
by giving an opportunity to the farmer to get
markets beyond the sea ohesper, and ena.
bling ships TO fetch and carry for him at low.
er figures, but by bringing within reach mar.
kets which before were inaccessible by rsa.
son Of the stea, length IN lime of,hs voyage"