Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-08-24
From the Brattlcboro' Phonis.

which we nave pfOposcu loI tuls pIatu' nus
been devised with view to uniformity in
these observations, not only among them
selves, but with respect to other observations
made by the scientific world at large so
that they may be possessed of a universal as
we'll as of a local value and application.
II is proposed that they should be conduct
cd by permanent literary and scientific insti-
tutions in order that they may be continuous,
and without any of those breaks and Interrupt
tons which always occur when they arc made
by individuals. 1t is thought that they might
be made by the pupils themselves, or at least
under their notice. and that they would thus
be valuable as practical scientific education,
accustoming youths to an accurate method /
of observing the operations Of the natural /
world. There arc probably no better intel |.
lcctual capacities for close, scrutinzing obser
walton Of nature than among our students in
Vermont and in fact, we might regard them
as peculiarly we'll fitted for investigating those
subtitle. intangible clements upon which the
meteorological conditions Of the atmosphere
depends
With respect to the instruments which the
system would render necessary, we have con-
suited the Smithsonian Institution, and they
recommend to us those which arc manufactur-
ed by Green of New York. An entire set for
county would cost about sixty dollars, max
ing the whole original outlay for the whole
fourteen counties which make up the State,
some eight hundred dollars. This sum would
probably be the whole expense which the
State would have to incur in establishing the
system and carrying it into operation since
it is believed that when the system is once
( fairly under way, the schools or communities
themselves where the observations are to be
made, would become sufficiently interested in
q them to keep them up. The action Of the
State is needed in order to gencraise the sys-
tenn, to set it going and give it uniformity
s and pcrpetuity.
The object Of the observations is to record
L not only the usual phases of the weather
q with respect to heat, cold, rain, snow, dew,
winds, storms, etc, in order 20 discover the
r relations in which these qualities of the
weather stand &c agriculture and prevailing
diseases, but also to keep a note of those
moro extraordinary phenomena, such as mcte-
ors, boreal corruscations, spots on the sun,
p. earthquakes, tornados, electrical excitcments,
n etc. ETC. a knowledge of which is necessary
c in order to a more perfect understanding of
y the cosmical relations of our globe with re-
G spect to the universe.
n The necessity of more definite knowledge
/ of the weather than we now possess is very
h evident when we consider how vague our i'm
y prcssons upon the subject are. We are often
# of the opinion that season has been very
S cold, when the instruments would show on
, the contrary that it has been very warm. Al
, most every body thinks that the seasons have
\ changed, and that they arc very different from
s what they used to be ; that fruit trees are in
e consequence destroyed that crops are not
v so good as formerly, etc. but if we had a
e good series of observations throughout the
s State, extending back many years, we could
e soon discover whether to attribute faults to a
p change Of the climate or to some other cause.
!. We cannot make much improvement in agri-
a culture SO long as we are uncertain with re-
n spcct to the causes which affect it.
p. With a view to a clear understanding on
C the part Of the reader Of the system of mcte-
l. geological observations which is proposed fol
!. the State, and the action deemed necessary
e from the State in the case, We give below
q the form of an enactment, as follows:
o An act for establishing a system of metc
l. geological observations for the State of Yer
l. mont.
= BE It enacted, de- That the Treasurer be
lie and hereby is authorized, to pay over to Ger
Is tain schools, semnaries or colleges, not cx
Is ceeding one to each county in the State, tn,
&c sum Of sixty dollars to each for the pnrchas,
II of suitable instruments for the meteorological
lr observations, to be made in the form pre-
So scribed by the Smithsonian Institution pro
n vided, that said schools, scminaries or college,
A. shall engage, through their trustees or acul
- ties, to keep a regular system of meteorolog
as ical observations, one copy Of which to b.
i. forwarded annually to the State Librarian 70
RS preservation in the State Library, and anotho
m to be carefully kept at the place where mad
e. as a record for consultation.
10 The form Of the act may doubtless bc a
el mcnded and improved but the subject, il
1t being presented in this way, will be the NOR
a readily susceptible Of practical considera
10 ton. j. W. +.
10