New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-02
INTELLIGENT STUDY or THE UEATHER,
EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL WORK OF The
NETWORK STATE BUREAU ~ ITS
FIRST YEAR.

FIRST YEAR
Albany june / (spcciaD.-Ihe first annual report
OF the Commissioners Of the state Wosthes Service
which recently appeared in print taken with the
current testimony OF individuals, shows that admir-.
able work is being done BY this institution under thu
MANAGEMENT Of Professor f. A. Fuertes, lis director
and with the valuable assistance Of his metcoro1gss
T.. T. Turner Provisional work was begun BE- tho
bureau with volunteer observers early a, Septem.
ber 1888; and legislative approval and support wa,
formally given in April, l1eo. When Professor
Fuertes came to Albany this last winter ~ explain tho
workings Of the service 10 the proper committees IN
order TO secure a renewal Of his small appropriation
he was surprised and delighted at the readiness with
which due provision made: while the Law maker,
and pursedefenders were IN turn astOnishe1 ,,
the low cost and scrupulouS economy nth which IN.
results described being secured.
The daily distribution Of forecasts from the Wash
ington Office by telegraph among thirty five for
persons throughout the state Is accomplished without
cost TO the State and the reports Of local observers
10 tho headquarters at Ithaca, all business corr
pondence In relation to the service. and the transmits
sion Of official publications By mail. are also efsc'ci
at Uncle Sans expense.
An exceedingly popular and practically usefu
feature Of the service IL the issue Of weekly crop
bulletin from the beginning Uotle close OF the agrci
ural season From this extracts frequently made IN
The Tribune. Farmers, merchants and other ps.sm,
interested in the condition Of the crops thcrcby
informed promptly and accurately.
The distribution Of carefully selected and ,es,e!
thermometers. barometers hygroreer and rain gauges
among Observers, has established local STANDARDS By
which other people may compare their own instrl.
ments thus contributing b. greater accuracy In PIP
ulsr observation.
An immense amount Of data regarding rainfall and
temperature which had been collected before The
organization OF this bureau has been brought together
from all parts Of the state, and aborOusly dgesrd
10 afford normals with which The precipitatons
or heat in The several localities month may be
compared. Thus the forwardness or latcncss. Tie
dryness or wetness Of the season, about which ua
official opinions often differ widely. may be positively
aScertaincd. And the monthly tables and charts Low
being send ONT from the Central Office are prepared
with exceptional skill and completeness. They vouN
be credit TO bureau that had been in existence
Of years.
The annual report shows that intelligent study Of
two very practical matters has been undertaken by
the Ithaca Office, in addition to its other ar,uous
labors. Following the example Of the California.
Iowa and other state organizations, II proposes 10
consider the availability OF tie climate In yarOu.
parts Of New York for special varieties of ts grain
and other crops. In the interest Of the farmer And
elaborate rainfall observations viii be taken over
40 stations. classified by watersheds, with view
10 learning more about the circumstances president
10 freshets The city OF Elmila alone recently had
bill of $4,000 % pay for an inquiry INTO this subject
In connection with her food, year ago which might
not have been necessary had the Ithaca Office
pleted this work now proposed: Engineers VINO build
bridges and sewers are also likely To profit By this
investigation. River saueinS IS already n progress
at several points in the state Evaporation tests ard
comparisons Of other local influences with public health
arc also to be undertaken, If they have not been
already begun.
few observers in OF the less densely
populated counties would be welcomed by Director
fueres instruments are supplied TO such persons
free
The vast number of letters asking for information
and distinctly approving the work Of TIE bureau, n
addition 10 the foregoing facts testify 10 the useful
| ness OF the service.