Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-10-08
THE STATE.
Keep Your Eye on the Flag.

Sergt. " Is. Conger, who has performed
the duties OF United States signal officer
at Detroit since Jan. %, 1884, has received
a copy of special order No. %, which,
among other important changes, transfers
him 20 Lansing.
The government has established n new
bureau for the special interest of the agri-
cultural and commercial interests OF the
state. Headquarters will be established
at the agricultural college at Lansing, to
which point Sergt Conger will go in about
two weeks, or as soon rs he is relieved by
Sergt. Frederick w Conrad, at present
in charge OF the station at Des Moines,
Iowa.
The new bureau is designed in particular
TO benefit the farming community by
means of "A system of cold wave and
weather signals which will be displayed at
various points throughout the state, at
present about fifty in number. These will
be increased rs public sentiment is educat
ed TO appreciate the value of the
observations. These observations are
designed to give warning from thirty x
to forty-eight hours in advance OF the ap-
proach of heavy storm or frost. Their
great value Is shown by the fact that the
terribly disastrous frost which swept the
southern states last winter was heralded
by the war departments predictions that
its effects would be felt rs far south as
Tampa bay.
The frost was felt at Tampa bay as pre-
dicted. and those who were wise enough
TO heed the warming saved valuable crops
of oranges.
The station at Lansing will be provided
with instruments for taking observations
of the rainfall, the temperature, etc.
Among the most valuable will be the hy-
grometer and the exposed thermometer,
the indications Of which, when compared,
herald beyond cavel or doubt the approach
of the deadly frost. In case of a cold wave,
reports of the indications will be sent at
once to every station III the system.
1t is not presumed that the new bureau
will do effective work at once. This can
hardly be expected until the farmers and
commercial.men of the state understand its
priceless value.
The system is already in active operation
In Missouri and other states, and its value
is just beginning to he appreciated.
Special observations are taken IN the cot
ton belt and in the cranberry district OF
Cape Cod, whore they proved most ef-
ficient. Wherever n signal station is es-
tablished the people of the vicinity con
tribute generally sufficient amount To
purchase the signal flags, which are seven
in number and indicate higher tempera-
ture, lower temperature, stationary tenn
perature, general rain or snow, local rain
or snow. and cold wave approaching
The stations throughout the state. which
will be increased in time to between 800
and 400 will be furnished with the indca-
tions every morning at u o clock. The
cold wave observations which at present
are taken at the Detroit station, will be
transferred 10 the bureau at Lansing.
The special order above mentioned or
ders First-class Private Jacob l.. Whit
meyer, now at Fort Cummings, y. NJ. to
Prescott Ari.. where he will report for
duty TO Second Lieut.. Robert b. Watkins.
Sergt Patrick Conner, now at Prescott
is ordered TO Des MoineS, Ia, TO relieve
Sergt. Frederick w. Conrad, who, AS stat
ed above, will succeed Sergt Conser AT the
Detroit station.