The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-16
1HERlfOMLTERS.
CSld snHrs Increasing the demand for Them
Mercury and SpirIt ruhes.

Geld snHrs increasing the demand for Them
Mercury and Spirit Tubes.
How is the thermometer trade to-day ?"
was asked Of an optician and maker Of meteor
illogical instruments in Fulton street.
Oh, fair" he replied. Struggling his shoul-
dcrs. and as he spoke he turned toward case
full OF the temperature gauges and raised his
hand as II to take one down. Evidently lie
thought a customer stood before him. lie WAS
doomed TO disappointment az keen as the biting
wind that ratified the door Of his shop.
But don't wish to buy one" the questioner
continued. interrupting the movement OF the
scientific German wish only to feel the
pulse OF the thermometer market I've no use
Tor ono"
Oh" the shopman exclaimed. with a look
that said plainly enough. or course you
haven't"
1t was then explained to the dealer that
it was a matter Of deep interest to the public
to know to what extent violent and ex-
trcme changes Of tho temperature affected the
volume of an industry so important. yet SO sell
dom spoken OF. He agreed that the fluctuations
OF the thermometer trade must be Of vital inn
portancc to the public, especially when II gets
a little cool out-likc to-day. for instance" 1t
il safe to assume that thermometer makers aud
dealers are seldom interviewed This pariicu-
lar one showed sadly the lack Of early training
in that direction. He is almost on a par with
tho" unwilling witness" Not but that he was
willing enough to impnu the information de-
sired. hut he didn't quite understand how; and
when he thought he had a customer. ranked in
his breast. A sharp and vigorous examination,
cross exam nation, and redirect examination
elected the tact that ii was "A rCdhOt day in the
therE. Omcter market. whatever 1t might have
been in rmperature and other branches oftradc
Yes. he said, in answer to one question,
such weather as this ~ got M for US. But
lmourniuiyl haint sold so many rs would
" How do your sales compare with those Of
other days p was ash eel in q confidential tone
twenty five per cent. larger ~
" Oh. yes they have been double-thrcc times
as large" and he showed u spark OF cnthusi-
asm. When THIS sort oi weather comes on.
and every uno thinks there's going to be- u nAe-
numenal cold snap. every one likes 10 consult
his own thermometer They won't trust 20
Other persons mercury. They wnnt TO see
right where IL stands themselves. There's nj.
ways discussions alter an exceedingly cold
his own thyrmomoter Aud It's proper every
ccnra.r'd."
"Ah kinds. but mostly cheap ones. The
prices range all the way from this one for II
| quarter LAYING small black tin case instru.
nont on the show case" 10 styles for SO and
| SEQ glAncing nj the safe.
II Was asccrtuiLed that a good. average. we'll
! behaved thrruometer VI ora nary longevity
could bo purchased for from - CENTS 10 = 80.
]
and mounted on white metal scale in q blao \
| lHu0nu"d tan case. The Sl.5u ones are OF about
| the samc length. and the tube fits IN EruONe
cut ln a caso uf hard yellow wood. The scale r.
marked IN bla X ON the wood. IL was also us ser
| tanned that although extremely hot weather
gives lively impetus 20 the thermometer tu-l-
| moss cold WHgth"r-rrN singing snuiS-iS the
| true delight of the meteorological mcchunic.
! The sh upman Thought that one imt ortilnt
! piece ol Information ought 10 hG given u
! tie public Tor the benefit OF those who hct.
! Nranglo md swear over the ufNcrUtic,S IN
] netn .
! Played Ton public Information, ~ Tor Instance
! those Put ont by Broadway druggists. IRE spirit
/ thermometers. They are uHed brcture tlo
! coiorcd spirit s more percrptihle. and Tor u q
! -ri 'utlNr reason that the amount ot mercury
! required Ia charge these largo Instruments
! makes it, use lmprWticable. As the spirits du
| not expand ~ uniformly az mercury, Tie
! scale IN an accurate spirit thermometer should
/ h' made with gradually incr"a- .ng Spaces BE-
! tween the degrees. On Such instruments lht
! hiALte~t degree j. lar-er than the lowest. Eui
! spirit Instruments are frequently made with
| tie degrees OF uniform space. hence they d.
! not indicate tho exact temperature. one make
| srt % correct instrument Tor "A broadway drug
| gi-' hu' II did not agree With those 81 ms
| ne.nteurs. There WIS row. But ie eailuinrd
! AMI took IL back and mounted the same tube On
| q a.. made. as H. -nld, according 10 me
| broadway Observatory II then gave salts
fact IOl.
Tho most decided and permanent impuls.
that The thermometer trade has received OF lufi
years arose from the c-iubl ishment Of tue SIX
nal Service Bureau. Toe mnnuie .turcrs AIN
dealers say that they have been able 10 urac'
inark"d percentage oi Increase ~ me demand T.
this cause. The service and iie reports SCENE.
ftuwnle Low interest IA On" public mlnd A- &
DO" weather. Il har also affected the den'.n.
iIr ether meteor l.ugi al instruments.