The National tribune., 1888-12-13
TIE WEATHER.
Meteorological Science in the Past and
PreSent---NOtable Occurrences Of
Last Week.

| the presentation of the latest most interesting
and reliable information concerning the ever
| popular, ever-prcsent and all-absorbing topic,
| the Weather.
| As this paper finds its way into the homes of
| thousands of people scattered here and there in
every State and Territory of the Union, en-
gagged in every variety of pursuit, the oppor-
! tunity for the diffusion of useful knowledge is
unexcelled.
Every reader of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
| will be afforded the means of acquiring practi-
cal information concerning subject which af-
fects every field of labor and even our daily ex-
istence.
To extend the usefulness of this scheme, in
quiries will be permitted, discussion encour-
aged, suggestions received and information
cheerfully furnished.
We shall endeavor to popularize the science
OF meteorology and reach the multitude In a
way free from all technicalties, with the pur-
pose of doing the greatest good to the greatest
number
All communications should be addressed
WEATHER, NATIONAL TRIBUNE Office, Wash
ington, ID. G.
THE GROWTH AND IMPORTANCE OF WEATHER
LORE.
The weather has had for all ages, all climes
and all times peculiar interest to man.
To record the varied changing and
ceaseIesS roll and sweep of the atmospheric bill
lows has called forth from faithful observers
the greatest enthusiasm, industry and intelli-
gence.
The remotest parts of the earth, at places I'M
ht for human habitation, under circumstances
of the greatest hardship, where great privations
could not be avoided, on land and sea. in the
valley and on the mountain-top, on dry land
and in the swamp, on mother earth and in mid
air. has the work gone forward with zeal and
faithfulness.
From the millions of observations recorded
in past years, without uniformity and system,
we have come to a knowledge of the necessity
of more regularity and better distribution of
labor.
Practical results and greater benefits have
naturally come from more systematic and eco
nomical methods.
Prior to the past % years natures book of
the weather was practically sealed to the mass
of the people, both in this country and Europe.
meteorological observations and their discus
sion were chiefly confined to astronomical OBJ
servations.
The earliest records of the weather among
every nation are to be found in those myths or
popular tales which, while describing rain,
cloud, wind and other natural phenomena in
highly fguratiye language, refer them to some
supernatural or personal agency by way of ex-
PLANTATION.
The most interesting thing about these
mythical stories is the remarkable fidelity with
3
birth.
At rather later period of intellectual de-
velopment, the premonitory signs of good or
bad weather became formulated into short say
ings, or popular prOgnostics A large number
of these are still current in every part of the
world, but their quality and value are both
varied and uncertain.
Until very recently the science and explaua-
ton of these prognostics remained as when
first recorded, in obscurity.
In many cases the prognostics came true;
when they failed calculation was impossible,
neither could any reason be advanced why the
same weather was not always preceded by the
same signs.
To successfully read the face of the sky was
matter of chance, and failure afforded no
means of overcoming a recurrence of defeat
But things have progressed.
AS the flash of genius, the enthusiasm of
success and the force of necessity have driven
progress TO the front in all lines of human
thought and labor, we find that the science of
the weather has not been forgotten under the
powerful influence of such an impetus.
The time of irregular disiointed, isolated
and nOn-comparable observations has passed,
and with 1t the uncertainty of weather sayings.
There was grand unfolding of Natures Sc
cretS when the daily weather map made its APP
pearance. At the outset, technical and obscure
in its symbols and meanings, it has developed
page
of our daily experiences at the bottom of the
atmospheric ocean.
1t has done and is doing for meteorology what
the telescope has realized and is accomplishing
for astronomy.
The invention Of the barometer, about $50
years ago, opened the way for some knowledge
as to the relation of weather changes to the
rise and fall of the mercural column but it
was not until the adoption 1858 in Europe and
1868 IN the United States) of scheme to graph
ically chart simultaneous meteorological OBJ
servations from a largo number of places, OBJ
serving the elements at the same moment of
actual time, that practical results from weather
work became possible.
Indispensable to the success of practical mete-
orology aud the development and maintenance
of the daily weather map, is the employment
OF the electric telegraph, which first came into
play in the United States for this purpose on
Nov. l, 1870, by act of Congress and the imme-
date orders Of the Secretary of War.
The lapse of time must be practically out
stripped by the electric current in order TO
make q study of the weather of the highest
benefit to the mass of the people, We must
have birds-eye view of the weather of the
whole country at one time in order to know
what has occurred or will occur at any time
As we advance in civilization and national
prosperity, the necessity for a thorough and
practical knowledge OF the weather is apparent.
III IS very easy matter 20 cite instances
where hundreds thousands and in some cases,
millions of dollars have been saved by the
timely warning of approaching changes in the
weather.
These benefits extend not only to property
but to life as well.
The practical bearing of the science of me-
teorology to agriculture and commerce is no
longer m0oted question.
The evidence of its great and increasing use
fulness is seen daily in ali walks of life, and
thousands reap the benefits now where scores
did a few years ago
Farmers, physicians mechanics, fruit-grow-
ers, pork packers, fish and oyster dealers, coal
dealers, river-b oatmen, commission merchants,
plumbers, and others engaged in the various
industries of this great country are interested
in knowledge of atmospheric changes, especi-
ally those associated with temperature and
precipitation. OF the former, as to averages.
extremes, ranges, variability and equality. Of
the latter, as to general distribution, excessive
amounts, rate of fall, entire absence of, and
physical influences tending to the production of
rain.
Space will not permit an extended presenta-
ton at this time of the ways without number
IkgrhN I--u