Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-06-09
THE BAROMETER ON THE FARM.

We did not intend to make the publication
Of barometrical observations a permanent fea-
ture in our paper, inssmuch as, to be practi-
cally useful, there should be at least three
observations each day. Our purpose simply
was to enable our readers to observe whether
the barometers did mark the principal vari-
Stons Of the weather, and 30 judge of their
value for practical purposes. Each of the two
kinds Of barometers we used did indicate the
changes the mercurisl (Timbey's pstent)
more speedily than the aneroid, but each
with equal accuracy. There is but one gem
ersl rule Of prognosticating changes Of wealth
er by the barometer, and tbstis well express-
ed on Timbey's "The fall Of the mercury
indicates storm, the rise Of the mercury in
dicates fair weather" We add a valuable
article on this subject from he N f. Farmer,
written evidently by one who has studied the
barometer;
Since it has become quite the fsshion to
farm BY the barometer, some plain instruc-
iions as to the proper use of that instrument
may be profitable.
First, do not rely too much on the barome-
ter. have taken barometrcal observations
thrice each day for five years. and now, when
asked the practical value Of the instrument,
answer. " IL is one of the means by which |
fore,ell the weather" note the movement
of the mercury-the appearance and motions
Of the clouds-the direction and force Of the
wind also the feeling Of the air" then make
up my Judgment" Nor am l willing to
Judge without all these helps.
Do not depend at all upon the deceitful
words painted the vernier, dry" livery
dry" wet" Sc. They simply mean that
up is dry, and down-something else. The
true indications of the barometer consist in
the movement Of the mercurial column; a
steady, but moderate, upward tendency pre-
cedes and accompanies dry and clear weather.
These signs may usually be relied upon for
about twenty -four hours in advance; not
more, for a fall may commence any moment,
and probably will bring rain.
/ A steady fall portends long rain, especial
/ ly if the wind be right. sudden, violent
rise or fall indicates primarily great cnange
iu the state Of the atmos phere. The rise is
usually quickly followed by fall, with storm,
and the violent fall indicates short heavy
rains or strong winds, hurricanes ana torna-
does. In dry times. the welcome fall is often
followed by an hour or two of strong wind,
Z which satisfies the indication, when up goes
he mercury, and down go our hopes.
I II, during rain storm, you observe the
/ eolsmn turning upwards, you may expect a
cessation in few hours. This will some
times take place before any other signs Of
holding up appear.
The barometer is Of great use in spring or
fall to determine whether frosts will take
I place or not. II at nine o'clock p. NJ, ;he
/ thermometer stands at So, sky clear OF near
/ Is so, wind west or north west, and the bar
ometer steadily rising, there will be light
frost, unless the ground is so warm as, in
cooling, to fill the superintendent air with
yspor which, with the current created there
/ by, may keep off the frost. Under average
circumstances the thermometer will fall TO-
from nine o'clock, p. NJ. to seven next morn
/ ing. But should the thermometer and every
I thing else indicate frost, if you observe the
barometer to be turning downward, it is near
! ly certain that the wind will soon change,
clouds come up, and the frost be averted
! In winter, after one or two severe nights,
you think Tonight will be a sumner; yet
if that little column of mercury drops, don't
lay. yourself out to sleep cold--for the very
thought will make you cold, even while the
weather is essentially Modified.
A word about the barometer itself Get a
good one, with, for convenience, " movea-
bic verner," by which, ut a glance, you can
determine how the mercury tends otherwise
you must keep a record 1t is worth while 10
have good instrument; and such always
have attached the movable vernier. The
changes in the temperature will affect the
mercurial column There is table by which
TO bring observations taken at various tenn
peratures to common standard. Dealer,
will sometimes tell you that their instrumen
will make this correction, which is humbug.
Without doubt, the barometer may be mad,
useful instrument to the farmer, yet the un'
certainty of all representations Of the weath.
er is so great that it is we'll to keep Solomon't
proverb in mind -" He that observeth the
wind shall not SOW, and he that regardett
the clouds shall not reap" A. G.
CLAREMosr. N. H., May. 1865.
PLANT BEANs.--A common want among
farmers is that of more manure. They have
the land, and can find teams to work it, and
hands to tend a crop, but they have not the
manure to dress the soil so that it will bring
paying harvest. Under these circumstances,
white beans may be planted and stimulated
in the hill by little bone dust, or any other
" boughten" or home made manure. If the
hills are placed three feet apart each way,
they will not exhaust the soil SO much as il
will probably gain by atmospheric infences,
if the crop is thoroughly tended. Bone dust
is well. II the beans are put upon sward-
land. either pasture or run-out moving, there
would be but little doubt but the operation
would be profitable one. The chief de-