Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-15

General Assembly there has seemed to
be a lack OF interest In the matter. which
IS rcgrctable. especially when we con-
slider the great natural advantages OF our
state. its diversity Of climate and soil.
and the immense value such a service
would be to II under these conditions.
OF all the States along the Atlantic
scaboard Virginia stands alone as a State
without its own weather service. Mary
land, on the north. and North Carolina,
on the south, have had in efficient opera
ton under their State laws FOR several
years services such as Virginia should
have. while II you go west State after
state can be named which has its own
organization.
THE FIELD is LARGE.
The field for investigation in this State
Is "A great one. The special weather and
soil conditions which make the trucking
districts of Tidewater Virginia, the to-
baccO and potato sections OF Middle and
Piedmont Virginia. the fruit belts OF the
Blue Ridge and Appalachia, and the pc
culiar union Of temperature and rainfall
which makes the Valley of Virginia the
garden spot Of the United States. all
offer unlimited opportunities for study
which would have for its aim the better
protection OF these great interests from
adverse weather conditions.
4 glance at the map OF Virginia will
show great rivers running from the noun
tains 20 the coast. and trunk lines OF
railroads traversing IL from north TO
south and east to west. These arteries
Of commerce. reaching as they do into
every portion Of the State, would seem TO
offer an unsurpassed means of communi-
eating weather warnings to the rural
districts. Steamers plying upon these
rivers and bays should fly signals indi-
eating coming changes IN the weather.
while every through train as il journeys
across the State should bear with IL a
similar warning for the benefit Of the
people along its line
With State service and ade-
Quate means to carry il on,
and with the cooperation Of
water and rail transportation lines (Which
could undoubtedly be secured. then
could be put I'm operation in the State
a system OF distribution OF forecasts,
FROST and cold-wave warnings at once
simple and economical yet thorough and
practical. Statistics Of climate could be
gathered and put In shape to be used
by farmer. mechanic. business or pro-
fcssional-men; or for immigration pur-
poses. Figures as 10 air and soil tenn
peratures obtained. weather, and its
effect on crops noted and. In brief all
the varying influences Mhlch so 10 make
up a climate.
All this is within the province of a
State service While using its infOrma-
ton for its own special needs. il stil
contributes IFS portion for the good Of all
Under the present Chief Of the Weather
Bureau. Professor Willis l.. Moore the
outlook for even closer relations between
the national and State services than has
obtained heretofore IS very encouraging.
His recent utterances al the convention
OF state weather services. held at In
dianapolis Ind. on the 18th and 18th Of
October last. indicate a policy Of CO.
operation and development which can
not fail TO result In much good. With
"a Judgment ripened by over twenty years
experience in the bureau, he said: Il
am interested in state services heart and
soul"
This. coming from such a source, in
dicates that new era has begun for
this class of work, under the most favor
able auspices.