Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-06-20
Barometeres.
EVERY FARMER SHOULD HAVE ONE.

those engaged in scientific pursuits. 1t
is beginning to be pretty well understood
by some of those in the business of agri-
culture, and is almost invaluable, though
some seem to doubt its utility, and insist
that its indications arc not always sure.
That the indications of the barometer
cannot always be perfectly read, especial
ly by those who have had little experience
or instruction in its use, is quite proba-
BILE; but to insist that its indications are
not absolutely infallible, is the merest
nonsense, to every really scientific man.
The operation of the physical laws is
perfectly uniform and certain the same
cause, under the same condition, must al
ways and invariably produce the same
effect. The attraction of gravitation is
no more uniform and certain in its ope-
ration, than those causes which produce
effects upon the mercury in the barome-
ter. If we could thoroughly learn, as
we may by proper instruction and OBJ
servation, how to read those effects, we
could calculate upon what will be the
state of the atmosphere and weather for
some time to come, with corresponding
degree of certainty. Some people, who
have some how got the impression that
the falling of the mercury always indi-
Gates q storm, and the rising of it, fair
weather, have come to the conclusion,
when they have found that these changes
do not always follow these appearances
of the mercury, that nothing is to be
known by it. 1t is not my purpose, if |
could do so, to attempt giving instructions
in the use of the instrument. My only
object is to invite the attention of farm
crs to what, it seems to me, in view of its
usefulness, especially at some seasons of
the year, they cannot well afford to dis
pense with.
Some facts which have recently come
to my knowledge from the most reliable
sources, may perhaps, best illustrate the
use of these instruments in the haying
season.
A gentleman residing in this town,
who, for some time, had possessed one of
John w. Smiths excellent barometers,
believed to be as perfect an instrument
as has been contrived,) and who by obser-
walton had become somewhat proficient in
reading its indications, had occasion, in
the season Of 1860, to cut about 5 acres
of grass, at considerable distance from
his home place.
1t was thought doubly important that
he should commence at time when the
weather should be favorable. The loss
occasioned by taking hands and teams
back and forth, to say nothing of spoil
ing the hay, in a bad time, would he con-
siderable.
On certain evening he went to his
neighbors who had engaged to assist him
when ready, and informed them he in
tended to commence the next morning, up
on the distant lot. The appearances, so
far as they could be seem in the heavens,
were unfavorable for good hay weather
the next day, and in the morning, indica-
tions were so bad, his neighbors endeavor-
ed to dissuade him from his purpose, but
he told them to come on, and at about 10
o'clock in the forenoon, the sky cleared
up, and the hands secured in good order,
all the grass which they cut in the fore
noon. The next day the indications of
the barometer were such that all the
hands were directed to come on, and they
again made good hay of all the grass
that was cut in the forenoon. At night
the sky was clear and, according to COM
mon observation, there was every pros
pect of good hay weather the next
day, but the hands, much to their wonder
and surprise, were told that they need
not come on. They thought that this
time the barometer man would find where
he had missed it +; and the next morning
they thrust in the scythe in good earnest,
on their own account; but at about IL
o'clock the sky became overspread, and at
8 o'clock it commenced raining washing
out half the value of all the hay they had