The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-02-09
ASTR0-MET TE0ROL0CY.

NODOuN WHO IlaS Deen TeuVlnS Tue
Eastern American papers need be
told who Nennor was. The name
became proverbial few years ago
as that of weather prophet who
rose in Canada. Henry G.. Nennor,
as member of the Dominion Geolo-
gical Survey, had largely an outdoor
life, that he turned to good account
in closely observing and faithfully
recording meteorological phenomena.
With the data thus obtained, cover
ing a large range of years, he was
able, on the theory of weather cy-
cles. to make weather forecasts that
turned out so accurate as to be a
marvel to the people of all North
America. Beginning with the news
papers, Mr.. Vennor ultimately started
an almanac as the vehicle of his
weather lore. which sold in immense
editions in the United States and
Canada. He died in June, 1884,
but for some time before his death
he had coadiutor in his scientific
labors in the same line, who con-
Quoted Il sort of astro- metcorologica
department both in the almanac and
i'm a monthly weather journal sup
Elementary thereto. Upon this fel-
low-laborert the mantle of the lamented
weather seer fell. The new prophet
is Mr.. Walter ii. Smith, who wilt be
remembered by readers of this paper
rs having been in controversy with
Rev. Serene +. Bishop, on the sub
iect of "Ruddy Sunsets" a short
while ago. Last year Mr.. Smith
issued the annual under its old name
of sVennor's Almanac" and with
the prophetic parts as bold and,
events have proved, as accurate as
ever. This year the publication has
come to hand under the new title
of, "Smith's Planetary Almanac
and Weather Guide, 1886 1t
contains "a forecast of the weather
for each week, calculated by the
most approved and reliable methods, ="
and treatise on, Lunar influence
on Vegetation, with tables for sowing
according to it in all latitudes ;
copious astronomical and meteorolo-
cical notes, ETC., ETC." Mr.. Smith
is President of the tro-MeteorolO-
oical Association, that has branches
throughout the Eastern and Southern
States, and is an enthusiastic star
gaZer as well as meteorologist. lie
is a writer of very creditable verse
as well as competent journalist il
general newspaper work, his last
years almanac abounding in we'll
written pieces of poetry. What We
desire to call special attention to, il
this brief review of the Almanac il
question, is the theory of lunar in
fluence on vegetation. The influence
of the moon on plant growth is al
old idea. but i'm modern times it has
been largely relegated to the tome:
of ancient superstition. Mr.. Smitl
has, however, after experimenting
at the suggestion of scientific
friend, brought forth the theory
anew, rehabiltating it with scientific
reason and propagating it over ;
wide range through his almanacs anC
many American and Canadian papers
The influence of the sun upon vegc
tation he regards as a UNIVERSAL
known fact, but he believes the moo
has her share of sway over vegetaDl
as we'll as animal life, asking, in las
wears Almanac, SIS it easy for tn
moon TO raise the surface Of tn
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, an
hard for her to stir the juices of
plant?" The theory is in brie
something like This: Seeds shoul
be sown when the moon is on tn
increase, and in the zodiacal sign
Taurus, Cancer, Libra and Pisces
Why these signs are better tina
Others Is owing to the proximity
stars in them, as matter attracts
regular ratios. The increase ratht
than the decrease of the moon
chosen as the "tme to plant" b'