The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-12
THAbHIMBR'S.

IS defraying the cost Of kilograms and
(where required Of telephone service,
amounting, annually, to several Thousand
dollars.
During February. the National Bfreau'
at the request OF this ofilce. ruthtrized
the expenditure OF small sum Of money
for the purpose Of getting telephone con-
nectipn with a system VI hnes iufning
through the counties OF Augusta, High
land, Rockingham. and She i'n l1sh, ma
distributing the daily weather r.. orts
thereon. BY the courtesy OF Nc. w. 1.
McCue, postmaster STA Ip.Dn. ana Mr..
y. c. watts. Of the telephone Cc:npany'
who gave this Office valuable assistance,
the project was accomplished ana vent
into operation on the 18th OF tire ..onth.
This portion Of the Valley mas nOF- TToo-
ably the best service IN this otate. ana
ore which will compare iavorabiy WIN
that of any other state. IL Will be wei
10 observe that not only does this COM
pany give a daily service 10 some hity
towns and villages In these counties. but
IN addition. it places these warnings d.
rectly into the hands OF some four or Eve
hundred 'phone-holders, who are farmers,
and thus reaches the class whose inter
csts are most closely Identified with and
dependent upon this information.
4 similar though not 80 extensive
system. has been introduced in the coun-
ties OF King william. King and Queen,
and Essex. with headquarters at West
Point. and ID Is due TO MIR. ". Campb9l,
OF that place, TO say that he very prompt
~ and heartily offered tho use n ms line
for this purpose. Mr. II. y. waters, or
Christansburg. has also co-operated WIN
this Office in establishing telephone fore
cast service from this city TO Pllo. Bash
am. and FLOYD Courthouse. 1t is. indeed,
a most encouraging sign OF the interest
taken IN this question when We see these
tcleDhonn companies using their lines.
without charge, 10 broadcast this infor-
nation.
In connection with the meteorological
work or the service. / am glad 70 Do able
TO say that the Richmond Fred ,ricNsbnrg
and Potomac railroad has finally adopted
our standard OF observations and opened
regular reporting stations at Guinea and
QuanticO. they cQulpping them with neces-
airy lnsGumcnts oto.. and the National
service Is supplying them with forms,
STATIONERY. etc Til. results or this move
viii be apparent IN the improved climatic
knowledrs OF the respective localities.
Many requests have been received from
parties within and without the state for
facts and figures concerning our temper
ature and rainfall. extremes or heat and
cold. heavy rain ard snow. etc. In some
instances We have been able 70 supply
III. information desired, but not always,
as. unfortunately. several inquiries relat-
ed 20 portions Of the state which nave no
REORGANIZATION whatever IN our reports.
This would seem 70 emphasize the ueces-
sity for more reports. Every county
should have az least ore station from
which a history OF it, climatic advan-
tsges could be compiled. II Is o; the first
Importance that thls should IS done and
too much stress canrot he laid UPON this
evident fact. II Ne are to encourage
immigration we must have fun ingornia-
tion upon this point. II farmers want
10 come here we must be ab,e 10 tell
them not only OF the fertility OF the soil,
but OF its temperature. and whether the
rainfall Is sufficient 10 promote good crops
and the climate mild and sauable and
adapted for vigorous plant growth. WITH
out proper conditions OF temperature ard
rainfall the best soil Will not prcauce A
crop. and Without stations n record Of
these important elements cannot DO OBJ
tained. The subject is worthy OF your
earnest ana favorable consideration. ana
trust that you VIII see fit TO take soma
definite action thereon.
The Increased work Of tbs orcs has
made necessary additional assistance. ard
the Chief OF the Weather Bureau has de-
tailed an extra man for duty h.-e.
Beginning with the week ending Aor4i
eth. the regular publication O. tho w.ek.
iy Crop Bulletin for tho season Of is.s
Will be resumed. This IL a summary n,
the crop conditions OF the State each ve.s
as arected by the weather. ana IL dis
tributed gratis, 10 the amour: OF each adj
ton. which has heretofore been !. GO ysek-
~. mis- bulletin has become very popu-
| lar with tho farmers in nil sections OF
the State. and thu result Is tlat this sea-
/ son opens with demand far In excess OF
our ability to supply, with tho present