The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-02-08
ZERO WEATHER EXPECTED
What the Weather Bureau Pre-
diets.
The GREAT SN0WSTORM
Severest Weather of the Year. Is
General Throughout the Coun-
try. The Crops Protected.
The Best Sleighlng For
Years. The Rigs.

No department Of tho gov ernme ent
has been more boueiiclal to the
country Mt large than TINT relating
to the weather, under the direction
oil tho Secretary of Agriculture. In
the matter of forecast. telling of the
approach of frost, freeze and the
various storms of rain. snow aud
wind, this department has saved
millions OF dollars to agriculture and
shipping. The service has not vet
reached perfection and the force of
men employed in IL number of Offices
Is inadequate to. do with dispatch
the many duties expected. Never
theless the farmers and shippers have
been well served aud express their
appreciation.
THE GREAT STORM.
Norfolk IS now experiencing the
severest weather known in II number
of years. While the sun was shining
brightly the people were told what
they might expect, within twenty-f -four
hours. The predictions were made
good In evory particular, nnd this
morning the snow, the beautiful
snow, is thick, firm and several
inches deep.
While the city people have been
lnconvenleuced, business somew hat
obstructed, there is rejoicing III the
homes OF the truckers OF this vein
lty. Snow Is not only fairly good
fertilizer, but Is also Il protection to
winter crops. With few DAYS of
extremely cold weather vegetables
would have been destroyed. With
covering of six inches Of fine snow,
cold and dry, the mercury may con
tipue to drop without Injury TO the
hardy vegetables grown for the
early spring trade. Tne truckers of
Iidewater and the wheat growers of
Piedmont and the valley welcomed
the precipitation gladly, knowing
full we'll that 1T Will put dollars IN
their pockets.
THE FLEECY FLAKES.
1he temperature having been be.
low the freezing point for some days
the ileecy flakes fell upon hard soil
aud will remain until removed by
sun Or rain.
The young people are now having
the first good sleighing for some
years. The tinkle- tinkle OF the bells
was heard all day yesterday aud late
into the night. The various rigs
Indicated that Norfolk was bat Door.
ly prepared for the sport. There were
occasionally seen few first class
slelghs constructed for snow travel,
but as rule the "get-ups" wero
curious and comical. Family car.
riages. buggies, cog carts, etc., on
runners were some OF tho devices
that came under the eye Of the news.
paper man.
THE STREET CAR SERVICE.
The street railroad manager was
out at Nh early hour with four fine
horses to snow plough and man.
aged to keep their track clear.
Though the ears could not make
schedule time they kept going, and
the efforts of the management were
especially appreciated by the subnr-
ban residents.
All trains from the interior were
more or less late aud report heavy
snow III the mountainous sections:
also Intensely cold weather.
Ihe temperature, ss reported by
the Weather Bureau yesterday, ree
istered at the lowest point II degrees
above zero; highest 81, tue maximum
temperature being degrees warmer
than on Wednesday. at no time
within tue past sixty hours has the
weather been above the freezing
point. There is sheet of Ice from
bank to bank Oh Mahone's lake. and
If the spell OF cold should continue
twenty four hours longer there will
be good skating in spite OF the Gov
ering OF snow.
Persons compelled to do outdoor
work suffered greatly yesterday, es.
pecIalIy the motormcn on the street
cars. Nestibule cars, sucn as arc
used in nearly all of the large cities.
would protect both conductor and
engineer.
Ihe Observer at the Signal Ohice
says that the full force of this storm
Will reach Norfolk this morning.
when the temperature will drop TO
zero. There must of necessity be
much suffering among the poor o.
Norfolk. The various benevolent
societies arc asking funds, saving
that the demands are great und
money scarce, and 1t Is thought by
some that contribution from the
city's treasury, similar to that made
tw" years ago, may be necessary.