The morning news., 1891-11-28
A STATE WEATHER BUREAU.
The Work OF Its Organization Now
Going On

The Work OF Its Organization Now
Going On.
Georgia Is 20 have Q state weather bureau
IL was decided last month to establish a
general station and the duty of organizing
such a service was assigned to Mr.. Park
Morrill,, the recently appointed forecast Of
fetal of Georgia, whose ofics is at At
lanta.
The basis OF the service already exists Ia
fifteen voluntary observers, who have in the
past taken daily observations and made
regular monthly reports TO the central
Office Of the weather bureau at Washington.
There are also in the state some twenty cots
ton region observers, making reports dur
ing the co tton growing SEASON, and whose
services 1t is hoped to secure as voluntary
observers during the winter months.
Twenty-Five sets OF new instruments have
been provided by the weather bureau and
will equip as many additional stations as
soon as properly located observers shall have
been secured.
The plan Of the state service, outlined in
the first monthly report Of the bureau, pre-
sents its advantages SO clearly that 10 is
thought there will be no difficulty in secur-
ing capable and trustworthy observers as
rapidly as instruments can be supplied. The
value Of accurate climatic data Is beyond
question In numberless ways. 1t supplies
the Information as TO rainfall on the vari-
GUS watersheds of the state necessary TO
guide cities aud towns in building water
| and sewerage systems It determines the
conditions as to heat, moisture, winds and
other matters OF the highest value to the
Intelligent farmer. 1t forms the only basis
for judging of the various claims of differ
ent sections as health resorts. It puts in
formation into the hands of physicians in
dealing with diseases. 1t will also be the
means Of securing better forecasts of the
weather by disclosing local peculiarities of
| climate.
An important adjunct OF the fervice will
be ITS system Of weekly crop bulletins which
| Will be inauRurated at the opening OF next
spring and will continue throughout the
growing season. These weekly reports OF
weather and crops are proving po werful
check upon dishonest speculation, which
seeks to disturb market prices to the serious
loss OF the farmer. Sent by telegraph to the
great trade centers and published every
week in the papers, they are expected 70
convey reliable information as to the exact
conditions of the crops.
IL Is hoped ultimately TO secure an obser-
vation station in every county Of the state
and crop reporter in nearly every town.
| The funds at the disposal of the weather
bureau do not render il possible to furnish
that number of sets of instruments, but the
bureau recommends the purchase
by county and town authorities of
the necessary thermometers and rain gauge
wherewith TO establish for their comrnuni-
ties fixed standards Of temperature aud
rainfall. Tho Monthly Weather Review y
Issued by the weather bureau. the "Monthly
Report Of the Georgia Weather Service, !"
aud the weekly Weather Crop Bulletins, :"
all OF which are sent to voluntary observ-
ers, form valuable compendium of
weather information, and with the
forecast and frost, storm and cold wave
warnings &c" the increasing accuracy of
which the voluntary observations directly
contribute, make full return for the money
and labor expended in establishing and
maintaining an observatory station. A
system of flag stations for the disSemina-
tion by weather and temperature signals of
the daily forecasts and warnings will form
a part Of the Georgia weather service.
Already a small number of stations are In
operation and more will be added as rapidly
as arrangements are made for the proper
display Of the signals and the rendering OF
the required monthly reports.