The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1880-12-17
THE ALABAMA WEATHER rRornEr.
| Now York Sun, 6th.l


AsHv- LIE, Ala, Nov. 29.-On read
ing the account of Mr.. Devoe's ideas
of the weather for this winter in the
Sun of Nov. %, called on Mr.. George
r. Gather of this place in order to get
his views. Mr.. Gather is a pleasant
man in conversation, thoroughly
scientific, and full of theological lore.
He is religious man, but ives excom-
municated here about three years ago
on account of his theological notions,
and since that time he has remained
out of the Church. He says science
will advance, and the Church will
have to move forward with it, as has
been the case in every instance where
it came in conflict with the truth.
Mr.. Gather had read the account in
the Sun, and was very much interested
in it, as he is in everything he sees on
the weather. L asked his opinion of
Prof. VennSr and of Mr.. Devoe.
ssThis is the first" he replied, sthat
I have heard of Devoe, and 1 know
little of Vennor."
What do you think of their opin-
ions in regard to the winter we are to
have? I asked.
stIn some points i think both are
right, in other points i think they are
wrong. / do not think that either of
them can speak with any degree of
certainty as to the latter part of Win
ter. 1 think the ice men of New
York, and as far South as the Potomac,
will have ample opportunity to store
full supply of ice for summer use, if
they get ready at once. There win be
a tremendous freeze from the middle
will probably have to the middle OF
| February, but they should avail
themselves of the weather in Decem-
Der and January. The freeze of De-
cember will be repeated just before the
| middle of January. Western men
should kill their hogs about Decem-
ber IL, and give time to take salt be-
| fore the freeze sets in
| But you give the month, two cold
periods.
ayes, and have faith in both be.
ing good hog-killing periods, but the
great freezes run now on the middle
of the month, or about that time.'
WHAT about the latter part of win
ter?
"I intended to say that there is no
difficulty in locating the paroXysmal
periods of weather or the month, for
nature has fixed them, and 1 am as
tonished that the fact has not been
|
world. The phenomenal weather that
may be expected at these periods is
quite different thing. 1 think
have right to speak positively on
this point, having proved it as GER
tainly as any law of nature has been
proved Now, as q matter of course,
as the seasons change every three
months, the character of the phenome-
nal weather must constantly be un-
dergoing a change, and when any one
says the weather will be so and so,
three months in advance, he speaks
unrefiectingly, though he may guess
at it, and, knowing the usual character
of the weather at that time of the year
he may guess very near it if he givcS
himself half or whole month to hi
it in. One who wishes to do some
thing for science and truth rather than
reputation, will not venture on what
common sense, the laws of nature, ant
science refute as false.'
But do you not predict the season
early or late, as the case may be, in
your judgment?
eyes, that is easily done ! but l dc
not attempt to tell three months il
advance what kind of weather to eX
pect in the spring, for that would be
speculating at the expense of science
and might probably do the farmer
great injury if i proved to be bat
guesser."
In regard to Mr.. Devoe's idea of the
weather travelling in circles, Mr.
Gather said his views are being mad
public on that point, and that Mr.
Devoe was evidently getting near tn
! truth, but had not quite reached it yet
Mr.. Vennor was also partially righ
r about his weather cycles, but probabl.
l he did not understand them, or n
would have explained himself NOR
fully. He only knew that they eA
r ist, matter that is patent to ever
; one who knows that there are cold an
mild winters and early and late Sc;
j. sons. The weather cycles were e.
planned by Mr.. Gather four years ag
d and published again two years sint
in his "Weather Pamphlet"
1t Mr.. Gather says that Mr.. Devoe &c
,c his idea of weather circles from Il
fact of existing weather belts. Il
as says the planets have only an inappr
ciable influence on the earth's atm'
oIo ~ - a.