Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-29
THURSDAY. DECEMBER %, 1892.
Weather Forecasts.

The weather forecasts are constantly I'M
Growing in accuracy and therefore IN
creasins in value. These forecasts must
convince everybody who examines INTO the
subject that thereis something IN them
They are not mere guesses, but lnteiligeht
forecasts based upon facts within the
fnowledce of the Weather Bureau. These
forecasts are not called predictions; for
there Is nothing in them that partakes OF
tie nature OF the weather prophecies OF
sailors and Others who are wise above what
g. written. When the field OF observation
IS extended all over Chrlstendom and the
results of these observations are trans
united daily TO Washington city, the
Weather Bureau of this country
will be so accurate in its forecasts
that everybody will soon learn to trust
"Old Probabilities. as the head OF the
signal-service Office used to be dubbed,
and will look into the papers every morning
10 learn beyond a doubt what sort OF
weather is to prevail for the next twenty
four hours Nay more: the forecasts Will
then be made several days in advance, and
these long-distance forecasts will be az
accurate as the short-distance forecasts
now are. We shall have IN the United
States no doubt the best weather service
in the world: if for no other reason be-
cause our possessions extend across
whole continent.
The involved problem IN the matter OF
the weather forecasts is how to deliver
them 10 the al communities. wheret they
ore most needed. People living in towns
mi cities ind the weather forecasts lying
NJ their doors every morning. That Is to
sa~, they find them in their daily papers.
But country people do not receive their
paper. 50 early Ia the morning. and many
ct them NJ: until 1t IS too late
for the weather forecasts TO be of
any service to them. If the to-
iacco-planters could get these forecasts
before breakfast every morning, and
could rely implicitly upon their
accuraer, they could often let their to-
bac.o stand 4 the field for a week or two
LONGER thau it now stands. thus improving
s. quality and increasing It's quantity aud
St. yGiUt AZ 1t is, the weather forecasts fail
torracI tha country people IN time to be
al any s-rJ.c, 10 them, and so they never
les-n - r.. upon them; and the result
IS. as we bays stated, that the men who
mos need reliable forecasts of the weather
mr. the very ones who profit least by
tham. How shall the country people be
mad bsnefciarIes of the weather fore
casts?
Toe Kentucky Legislature has had this
subject under consideration. 1t has passed
JOINT resolution requesting the Kentucky
Senators and Representatives in Congress
20 lend all necessary encouragement and
hid " to such measures as in their judg
ment will stimulate investigation and
quicken q covery IN the great field of the
weather-servIce and give greater efficiency
and value to the Signal-Seryice Bureau in
gathering and more widely disseminating
"in the shortest period and most timely
hours its weather bulletins" That, as
we have said, is the problem to be solved.
How shall we disseminate the weather
forecasts in the shortest period and most
timely hours? The Kentucky Legisla-
ture says truly on this subject that tho
study of meteorology promises wonderful
benefactions to civilization in the near
future" and especially to the agricultu-
rists. Electricity must be employed IN
this service as it will soon be in so many
other matters which concern the whole
civilized world. Perhaps Mr.. EDISON will
come to the assistance of Congress.