Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-08-03

eXcitements.
i -Pliny asks, "Why does the hus
bandman look up to the stars, O
which he is ignorant, whilst every
hedge and tree point out the season
by the fall of their leavesw AnG
if the husbandman will look. to the
plants, they, in many kinds, will tel
him of the coming rain, as well as
Pliny's trees and hedges tell US the
seasons by the springing of theil
buds and the shedding of theil
leaves.
The common chickweed had its
flowers open from 9 in the morning
until noon; but if rain is near al
hand, they remain closed. The
pimpernel is good weather glass,
because it closes its flowers hours
before rain comes. The dandelion
is a good clock, because it opens its
flowers at Z in the morning, and
closes them at 5 in the afternoon.
When the trefoil contracts its leaves,
look ont for thunderstorm and
heavy rains. The chrysanthemum
closes its flowers on the approach of
a storm. Indeed there are many
plants that foretell the coming rain
Dinnaus enumerates forty-six of
these meteoric flowers.
Among the farm animals the pigs
may be counted as good rain prog
nosticators. When they gambol
about with straw or corn leaves In
their mouths, rain is sure to follow.
The old swine grunts, shows un-
easiness, and staggers to the stye.
Dogs grow drowsy and sleepy be-
fore a rain. Before a rain, water
fowls splatter and wash more than
usual. Pigeons wash before a rain.
When owls boot and screech during
q rain it denotes coming clear
weather. Flies sting, and are more
than usually troublesome, when
rain portends. The tree-frog comes
out and chatters before rain.
Some nervous men and women
can foretell rain, because their chill
blains and corns become irritant at
such times.
The winds, and the clouds, and
the sunsets and sunrisings, are not
without their frequent weather prog
noses. Job says south wind or great
head summer, ,portends a whirlwind
evidently meaning a thundergust.
And the writer of this, has learned
that we have in this latitude all
the year round, a wind above from
the south west, and another lower
down from the north west, and that
when the south wind gets under
meath the north -wester, rain will
surely follow.
An east wind, sweeping in under
these westerly currents, brings rain
Or snow as far back as the Rocky
There the deposition
Just commences, sometimes several
lays before it reaches our longi-
tude.
Many persons think the deposi-
ion commences eastwardly, but that
S mistake. The upper westerly
trail the wet meteor towards
he east.
When the sky looks deeply blue,
md fieeting clouds are dissolvinga as
hey move along, dry weather will
ollow.
When mists form on low grounds
md on meadows in the evening, it
s sign of fair weather for the
lext day.
Much dew upon the grass after a
inc day, is an indication ofa goodly
lay to morrow.
When clouds are seen waltzing
ound each other of q summers
lay, be sure a rain storm is not far
fl.
If,in winter,you see fleecy clouds,
eing thick in the middle and snowy
Thite around the edges, with the
ky remarkably blue and clear, look
ut for snow or chilling rains.
Sunset prognostics range as fol-
ows:
Red, wind and rain; yellow, clear
Teather. Sky deep blue, denotes
ne weather; deep purple, wind and
ain.
These, and many other signs not
may be appropriately
ermed the farmers meteorology.
The shepherds of old were astrono-
ners, and the farmers of our times
ught to be, if they are not, me-
eorologists.
The study of natural phenomena
5 more inviting to the farmer
han men of other pursuits, because
le has clear optical sweep Of the
leavens above, and the various
ribes of animated nature around
i'm.
A young man just entering the
of farm life, ought to start
ut with diary, and if he does not
AIRY it in his pocket, he can de
ote few moments every evening
efore he retires to rest, in noting
'eather phenomena morning, noon
nd evening, especially the horizon
t rise and set of sun.
He should also notice the condi-
on of his fields and crops, as they
appen to exhibit unhealthy phases
r otherwise; and the department of
lie animals around him in connec-
on with meteorological disturb
nces; also the rise and fall of wa
# in springs, as connected with
,orms.
All springs do not alter their level
/ such cases, but nearly all springs
low some peculiar condition when
storm is brewing in the womb of
,ture, and is close at hand.
Such a diary, with any other i'm
)rtant circumstances of world
matters, kept during farmers
tive lifetime, could not fail to be
orth more than it cost to make
1t would become an heirloom to
S posterity. 1t would be an incen-
We to learning and improvement
the coming men.
And it would add much to the
'ogress of science, and the eleva-
On of farm life and rural felicity.
"A captains keep diaries, called log
,oks, why not farmers Practical
dTmer.
N. vxyh;%o, D;or. Ha-