Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-12-15
The Signal Service.


The Signal Service system, as applied 10
weather reports, is Of such recent origin and
its operations are so limited and incomplete,
that the progress thus far made must be &C.
cepted rather rs evidence of what may be
accomplished, than measured by actual adj.
vantages received The experiments made
have been designed TO test the accuracy Of
this system Of reports. To do this, it was
necessary to establish stations at such points
throughout the country as would enable the
chief officer togather the necessary informa
ton upon which to base conclusions. One
hundred aud seven stations were maintained
during the year, and one thousand and nine
ty-fve daily reports have been made. 1t lisa
little remarkable that, where the system is
so new, aud the reports so numerous, there
was not a single failure Of the delivery Of
any report to the press during the entire
period.
But even this evidence Of punctuality is
not calculated to satisfy the people that the
Signal Service may become useful TO such
an extent as to justify the expense necessary
to develop its full capacity for bestowing
benefits upon the people. One Of the first
points Of interest in considering this subject
is the ability Of those in charge Of the work
to make reliable reports. Without accuracy.
it would prove detriment rather than an
advantage. The report of the chief signal
officer, which is corroborated by the observa-
ton Of every person who has given attention
to the subject, states that a minute cxamina-
ton Of the deductions during the year, and
a comparison with the mcteoric changes, az
terward occurring within the time and
within the district TO which each has had
reference, has given the average percentage
eighiy-screa andhrce'enhs, as rerfed 4 com
parison of this percentage with the averaged
percentages of preceding years exhibits an
improvement in accuracy with each succeed
ing year. The wide diffusion given these
reports may be judged from the fact that
they appear in almost every daily newspaper
published in the United States
by an arrangement with the po.t-oiIce de-
partment, six thousand throe hundred and
sixty-four printed farmers bulletins" on
which appear the daily reports Of the signal
office, have been distributed and displayed
in frames, daily, at rs many different cities
villages and hamlets in different states, for
the uses of the agricultural population
throughout the United States The uior-
nation given on these bulletins will increase
in value for the purposes for which it is in
tended, as the facts relating to the climatol-
ogy of the different sections are developed
aud condensed into brief rules to be pub
lished with the reports. The reports APP
pearug on these bulletins have beeu tcc-
graphed from the signal office, at one A. NJ.
of each day, to twenty centres Of distibu-
ton, in cities located among the denser agri
cultural populations in the different parts of
the United States.
The most skeptical must admit that the
Signal Service has demonstrated it, capacity
for usefulness. If, with the present limited
facilities, nearly ninety per cent. Of theii
storm predictions have been verified, it may
reasonably be supposed that increased facil
tiles will render correct reports quite certain
While the system in its present form can
3 be made, and is very useful TO sailors and
shippers, much remains to be- done before
the full advantages TO be arrived from storm
signals can be developed. Even for reason
ably certain protection against disaster.
upon watea, the Signal Service must hay,
its facilities greatly increased. No doubt
the amount saved through its warnings tc
mariners greatly exceeds the cost of the ser
$ vice, and yet, with comparatively slight in
: crease of expenses, tlle advantages may be
/ very greatly enlarged.
In speaking of this matter, the Toledo
[ Biade, very sensoly says " The amount
. of property destroyed throughout the coun
. try by storms amounts annually TO many
millions Of dollars. Farmers are the great
[ est losers, and nine-tenths OF their losse.
e could he averted were they apprsed, few
: hours in advance, of the approaching
danger The Signal Service will not b,
n complete until it meets this want, aud pro
{ tects agricultursts against the large lossc,
= to which they are now subject Asystem Of
g signals for the benefit Of farmers must event
r ually be established throughout the Who'll,
Y country 1t may not be necessary for tn,
e general government to furnish reports in de
G tail, but at such points as may be necessary
J. for local rganilations-sta county, town
!, ship or community government mus
| eit d.