Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-16
H0ME-M MADE WEATHER.
Big Changes Started Since the OBJ
servers Became Farmers,
PREDICTIONS WILL BE SPECIFIC.
Forecast for the Country Will Not Be Made
in Washington.
PREDICTIONS WILL BE SPECIFIC.
A SCORE OF PROPHETS PUT AT THE WORK

Climatology is to receive more attention
under the management of the Weather
Bureau, which has been transferred from the
War Department to the Agricultural De-
partment. The intention is to give back
some of the comfort the agriculturist lost
when he lost his simple faith in the almanac.
Instead of telling us in a general way that
there will be rain or its opposite in Western
Pennsylvania, or that indications point in
that direction, tits intended to give forecasts
for smaller areas, SO as to indicate, If posi-
le,whether moistness in the land of the soap
mines will extend to Allegheny county. 1t
may and probably will not be that fine, but
there will be closer study and observation
of climatology. The tiller of the soil will
get better show than formerly, recogni-
tion that some might suggest is hurried by the
Alliance movement, but no matter by what
influence exerted it is in the right direction,
as weather is ordinarily a matter of more
importance to him than to the urban
dweller, unless ne be a seafaring man, and
the departure will not make less serviceable
representations intended for the mariner.
The evolutionist has chance to score
point in this connection.
Human Barometers Are Out Of Date.
Since the farmers ceased to depend on
weather signs furnished by barometrical
rheumatic" the curling of the leaves on
trees, absence of dew, crying OF peacocks,
grunting and squealing of pigs, hooting of
owls, and hundreds of other indications of
weather changes, to say nothing of the
moons phases an observer will be con-
strained to notice that they meet with more
mishaps than formerly. Yesterday there
were thousands of acres of hay lying mown
and cured in fields in this county, Dut not
hauled into stack or barn, nor cooked up, as
it would have been had the farmers been
running their own weather bureau.
Sergeant Stewart, of the Signal Service
station here, states that Prof Mark W. Har-
rington, of Michigan, now put in charge Of
the weather department., is well equipped,
being not only scientist but q practical
man as well. Mr.. Stewart says he does not
know whether fate has in store for him the
prolongation of his position here, but he
says he likes the city and would be willing
to remain.
Hereafter it is expected that the public
will be informed regarding the origin OF
every storm expected, how long it will last,
the amount OF precipitation expected and
the territory covered. Hitherto the fore
casts for the whole country have been made
dictors or forecasters will add their
observations and it is hoped that
the alliance will produce better results in
the way of prophecy. The local forecasters,
with the weather maps at hand are expected
to make more accurate predictions than at
present, as they are in possession Of facts
unknown in Washington that may modify
views founded on a general forecast. The
local man has the benefit Of local indica-
tions, of which the observer in Washington
cannot avail himself.
How the Weather VIII Be Made.
Congress has made provision for 20 fore
casters, and one of them will doubtless be
located in this city. The number will
doubtless be increased if necessary. The
entire country is to be divided among
them. The climate of each State will
be made a special study, which will
be of much use to farmers, as the
average weather is what determines
the agricultural capacity of district.
distribution and inequality of rainfall, vari-
ations of temperature in districts, relative or
absolute humidity, distribution of snow,
frosts, winds, ETC.. will be made an espe-
cial study along with any other features
that suggest themselves to any local fore
caster.
The appointments have not yet been made
and Mr.. Stewart could not express any Opin-
ion as to when they would be made nor what
changes, if any, might be made.
This subject is of much more Importance
than the average citizen not engaged in ag-
riculture, trade or speculation ascribes to it.
With him it is simply a question as to
whether or no he should order a load of coal
or carry an umbrella with him when he
goes out, but the farmer wants to know
some other enterprise, and the business
man wants to know the conditions that are
likely to affect his trade, while the bull VI
bear in the speculative market consults the
weather bulletin to determine whether he
shall be bull or bear, become long or go
conditions hangs railroad speculation like
wise