Smyrna times., 1888-03-14

ODs0ANihS NAH Has OWL 'ArODablll-
ties''-Animals, Birds, Insects, Plants.
Rheumatism and Corns-The Sky.
There is an immense amount of weather
wisdom in the country. l assure you that
you cannot find an old farmer anywhere
who does not cock his eye at the clouds,
or the birds or elsewhere and prophesy
what weather we shall have for the next
twenty-fOur hours. I only lack patience
with those who seek to prOgnOsticate the
weather for weeks and months ahead. and
by silly signs, or no signs at ALL seek to
establish their reputation as prophets
Weather wisdom should be seriously and
carefully encouraged; for to know twelve
hours ahead whether to expect storm or
clear weather, is a matter of thousands of
dollars in the crops of a single town 1t
is by no means a science of cunning guess
ing; Tor there are signs abundant that
will guide a careful observer. Here is a
simple forecast which have somewhere
seen and have verified: eff the sun set
under clouds, expect a storm; if the
clouds are banked to the north of the sun,
expect rain; if to the south, snow, or
cooler rain if it be summer.
Watching animals is favOrite and a
good way of prOgnOsticating. The cleo
creatures.
makes them apprehend a storm hours be-
fore its appearance. There are sensible
electric and atmospheric conditions that
cause physical disturbance. Cows will
below, and often leap about. Hens will
oil their feathers, and express uneasiness.
Cats and dogs will eat grass freely.
Sheep and goats get frisky, and chase
each other. Horses will stretch them
selves, and gather in fence corners or un-
der shelter if possible. PeacOcks scream.
and guinea fowl squawk worse than ever
1t is general state of uneasiness that is
observable in the pastures and about the
barns. Farmers quickly observe this,
and learn to guide themselves accordingly
Birds are even better Indicator of the
weather In general they fly low before
storm, because the air being propor.
tionately light, they get the right pressure
near the ground. Owls keep up a terrible
tO-whOoing. Sea birds fly landward, and
land birds fly seward. Swallows skim
the waters as they fly. Crows are noisy
and uneasy. All birds prink themselves
and dress their feathers. Cranes are said
to place their bills under their wings. The
general symptoms are the same as with
animals-restlessnes and noisy behavior:
but the low flying is most observable.
Insects are less likely to be studied. but
they are very valuable weather pointers.
Some old books may be found, however.
that show that the old fashioned ento-
mology was mostly a study of insects for
this purpose. Swarms of gnats Indicate
fine weather. When spiders webs float
on south wind in autumn expect good
weather. If spiders alter their webs in
the evening a fine night is ahead: if in the
morning, expect a fine day. In general.
spider activity indicates good weather. and
spiders in quiet hiding indicate bad
weather, especially if they break up their
webs. If bees fly far from home there
will be fair weather; if they remain in the
hive look for storm. Crickuts chirp loud
before a rain. If beetles dash about freely
expect a good spell Of weather.
Plants are also excellent indicators OF
the weather. The leaves of some r'ees
| fold together before storm, presenting
only the under surface to the rain. Morn
| ing glories and four O'clOcks shut up their
! petals. Trefoils of all sorts contract theV
| leaves. There are murmurings among the
trees, and although a general quiet. vet
| palpable plant-uneasiness | think a
horticulturst would promptly Judge from
his plants and trees. yet be unable to tell.
altogether, why he presaged rain.
Our own personal relations to the at
mosphsre are such as to present very clear
indications of what weather to expect.
Those who are rheumatic suffer terrible
twinges. The equity are tortured Corns
and buniOns become terribly uncomfortable.
| Many persons are highly electrical in
temperament, and cannot keep still before
storm. These sensations are often keen
and for a time painful. The passion to
walk is irresistible. Limbs that have been
broken ache before a storm.
Among more general signs are those
borne about in proverbs ana rhymes.
! A rainbow at night is a sailors delight;
/ But rainbow In the morning is a sailors warn
ing.
This is sometimes called the "Shep-
herds Warning" If the sense of smell
seem specially keen, it indicates bad
weather If smoke drops from chimneys,
1t is to be foul weather, but if it rises di-
rectly, be sure of clear sky The de-
gree of dropping indicates the degree of
storm. If stars flicker more than usual.
look for storm. If the night be remark
ably clear and the stars bright and appar.
emily nearer than usual, look for bad
/ weather. If earth worms crawl out very
freely, 1t will soon rain. Indeed, thew
come out so abundantly at times that they
seem to have rained down; and are so be-
lieved to have fallen by many people. II
the sky is red in the morning. look for
fair weather, unless it quickly turns to a
dull hue. If the sky is red at night. look
for 9. windy storm, more so if the color
be yellOwish and unsteady. But if The
red remain till long after sunset, look for
fair skies.-M. Maurice, M. D., in Globe
Democrat.