Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-10-05

Is placeQ between the third and fourth
fingers inside the hand, at the space be-
tween the knucKle and the next Joint,
with the opening in the shell between
the fingers. The hand is then closed SO
that an orifice is left between the fingers
opening into the nutshell. Then by
placing the bent joints of the fingers be-
tween the lips and blowing forcibly into
the nutshell, a very shrill and loud
whistle may be given that can be heard
half mile with ease, and further when
gentle breeze is blowing in the direc-
ton the sound is to be sent.
1t seems that this system of whistle
signals or language is by no means a
novelty, for regular vocabulary, so to
speak, of whistling sounds has been in
use for many years in an island of the
Canary group. The inhabitants OF this
island (Gomefa, which consists most of
precipitous rocks and deep ravines
through which rivers fiow,) make use of
this code of whistle signals 10 communi-
cate with each other across the rough
country, which can only be traversed by
long, circuitous routes, on account of the
deep ravlnes. The people use both fin
gers and lips in whistling, and can carry
on conversation with neighbors a mile
distant by the use of this peculiar Ian
guage.
This useful addition to the faculty of
speech may be made available in many
ways by adopting familiar code or key
of sounds to that which is used in tele-
graphy- Thus in our system three short,
sharp whistles blown quickly mean that
that the man or men at work in a distant
place are to come to the house or to quit
work. One long whistle gradually taper
ing OIL to finish, means that the fore
man must send man to the barn; one
short, sharp whistle, followed by the
long, tapering one, calls the teams home :;
two short whistles and the long one from
the foreman call the employer to the field
to settle some difficulty; three short
whistles and the long one call the fore
man and announce meal times. Thus by
the use of long and short sounds diff
ferently disposed all sorts of directions
may be given and information conveyed.
Each man employed is provided with a
whistle, if he cannot use his fingers in
the usual way, which makes loud,
piercing sound, and a card of signals;
but this is not of much use except at
rare intervals.
Flags are usefully employed as signals
when the house or barn can be seen from
all parts of the farm. A pole with arms
''semaphore'' telegraph may also be used
when it can be seen or the persons are
too far to hear sound. A triangle made
of steel bar bent with the ends free,
and struck with another piece of steel,
can be heard more than mile away. But
this and the bell are not suf1ic emily va
rious in sound for ordinary use. The
whistle, on the other hand, may be made
to vary quite sufficiently to afford all
necessary means of communication over
the area of an ordinary farm, and the
signals may be so codified as to give in
telligent meanings, as in the case of the
islanders above referred to.
But it will be most convenient to con-
dense as much as possible the code of
signals. Thus the signal come to the
house or barn when repeated quickly will
mean there is something wrong and haste
is required. This will answer for all
emergencies. Each man, too, should
have his signal, to which he only will
answer in person when the men are to-
gether or scattered. Some such method
of communication will be found very
useful, and, as it will tend to save time
in the work Of the farm, and as time is
money, 1t will be found a means of
economy, and therefore worthy of adop-
ton. -Neco York Times.