The New York herald., 1877-11-18
METEOROLOGY.
SUCCESS OF THE HERALD SYSTEM OF CABLE
wARNINes-IMPoRTANCE TO FARMERs-
BARoMErRIc PRESSURE AND FIRE DAMP Ex-

SUCCESS OF THE HERALD SYSTEM OF CABLE
wARNINes-IMPoRTANcE TO FARMERs-
BARoMErRIc PRESSURE AND FIRE DAMP Ex-
PLosIoNs IN MINES.
From The Country (British) November
Tho practical utility OF meteoroogy has been Sc
verely questioned The accumu muallons of observa-
tions during the last few years. until quite recently
although most diligently reviewed and interviewed
has seemed most unproductive OF tangible results.
and economists have gravelY doubted the expedence
OF their continuance. chiefly course the score of
expense. Mr. Caird, however, when summoned wit
ness before the Treasury Committee OF 1876 this
subject spoke very strongly the benefits likely to ac
crue from meteoroogy 10 farming. Tho Importance
attached by the American farmers to storm warnings
was referred to by him in terms of concurrence and
be added, "we unfortunately, have means OF dis
covering what the weather Is likely to be from the
Atlantic within such time would mako them useful.
nave not the loasl doubt that they might DO very
useful II We could have lhem.p
The difficulty OF transmission OF warnings, hunted
al mere, has been obvaled Three times during three
weeks, lu the early part Of the yenr kilograms from
the meteorologist oil the NEW YORK HERALD
nounced The speedy approach OF storms and rightly.
Inc nrst warming Was published on Satur-
day, the nth OF February and predicted storm on
the following Monday. True 70 the forecast, on that
day tho barometer at Greoncaste Toll nve-enths OF an
tween eight A. NJ aud six p. NJ Al six o'clock the
Storm mad ia5iy set IN at Queenstown and along our
western coasts, and ragged with great Jury The other
occasions wero equally striking examples
Oi course, tho application oil reliable approx
mately reliable predictions to farming opernlions is
sufficiently apparent II IL could be gathered by tho
agrcultursts from the daily prints The oi weather
likely or absolutely certain TO cnsueand this latter
ultmatum Is not without tho range OF possbility-we
imagine the influence Of such information would, III
conjunction with the ever progressing adaptaDity OF
steam, gradually transform agriculture. Tue effect
would chiefly be seen In the determination oil seed
times. The influence arrangements connected
with stock, not less important would, however, be
subsidiary.
Although American agricultursts are sufficiently
alive TO the importance OF this subject farm
evince but interest aud the ways and
OF the matter are undetermined. the imperection
OF tho present system has been noticed by loss
authority than Sir George AIRY himself In his ey-
dence, above referred TO, he says."l think 1t sad
ouission IN the daily weather report that there
sufficient remark or statement Of what has been ur
nshed as probability and the agreement OF that
with the iacts.n
The evidence communicated to tho Treasury Com
mttee by Mr. scott, +. X. s., respecting counec-
tion between colliery accidents and meteoroogy also
comes IN exceedingly apropos, although strictly
aside from our subject, at time when, without warn
Ing, no less than two hundred human beings have
been hurried to fearful death at Blantyre lie re-
marks "that nearly seventy-two per cent OF col
llery cxplosions-iatal aud MOI fatal incusive-are
connected more less directly vita meteoro zeal
changes, some hlty per cent being connected with
changes OF PRESSURE and about twenty hve per cent
being raccabe TO changes OF temperature. We think
that II warnings could be comnun cated TO the col
iicry managers tn that such DAY they
snOud mol SEND men down. great loss OF property
and great number oil explosions would be
In another Part OF his T. scott says:sY
have heard OF the recent accident France where l20
Killed, ut St Etenne. The barometer Tell halt
an inch that morning, suddenly" With respect to
forwarding these warnings 10 coeres, he SAID that
It IA question OF expense, tho Home Onice,
ADVISED 10 1868, prepared 10 support such
au idea'
The absurdity OF this last sentence is manifest
We trust however, that long the ncstmabie
Of weather warnings VIII urge better system, To
the benefit OF nearly all Industries. as well as agrcul
ture