Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-26

ings come the warnings of those sud
den and destructive temperature
changes known as cold waves. These,
Issue from twenty to thirty-six
hours in advance. are distributed by
every available means in order to aid
the Gapidity of circulation. Warnings
issued for a single cold wave Of eN-
ceptiona! severity and extent have
been known to save more than $3,5Oo.-
0dC worth of property. Warnings of
irosts ard lreeZinG weather fare also
of grc.tt Value, particularly % fruit,
sugar, tobacco and market garden in
tercsts. By the issuance of timely
warnings in thtse sections the value
Of the orang" blooms, vegetables and
strawberries protected, and thus
saved, on a single night in a limited
district III Florida TN enc occasion was
estimated at over 100000.
An instance in which the weather
bureau made some accurate forecasts
th"t were of untold value WAS at the
time of the great flood in the upper
Mississippi watershed, which vas one
of the worst in history. The warnings
for this flood were issued from four
days to three weeks in advance. and
in no single case did the forecasts diff
fer from the record of the actual Hood
by more than four tenths of a foot
The average difference was about one
fifth of a foot
Agricultural and shipping interests
are noticeably dependent upon wealth.
er conditions, and it is easily seen 10
what extent weather forecasts can aid
them. In other pursuits, however,
these forecasts can be just as impor-
tant, although not apparently So.
Railway and transportation compan-
les, for instance, make continued use
of the forecasts. Perishable products
are protected against temperature eX-
tremes by icing or heating, as condi-
tions demand. Bananas, for example,
need very careful handling and must
be kept at a certain temperature, thus
requiring careful study of existing
and expected weather conditions. Live
hogs and cattle are not shipped by
freight when hot wave is expected
if it is possible to avoid it. High tenn
perature is also harmful to oysters,
and consequently the necessary sup
ply of ice is determined by a study o.
Tie forecast CHARTS. w Iiic SHIbilltlll =
are usually held until fear of cold IS
past, and many brewers hold their
beer shipments, when the distance is
over sixty miles, if the temperature is
expected to drop to 20 degrees.
Notices of cold waves close green
houses and start the boilers. Fire
plugs, exposed mains and general
plumbing are protected. Street rail-
way companies arrange for more heat
in their cars. Natural gas companies
turn OH a larger supply of gas. Deal
ers in winter goods and rubber articles
/ increase their advertisements, while
others decrease theirs Charity organ
izations prepare to meet the increased
demand for clothes and fuel All these
/ things take place i'll city when de-
cided cold wave is threatened.
Warnings Of spring frosts cause the
farmer To cover his crops or start
sfnudge. While the raisin- growers of
California have to protect their fruit
trays against Undue rain. Photogra-
phic firms look4ahead for clear days
on which to do unusual amounts Of
work. Physicians, when notified tell
Y
troubles to remain indoors. Some den
fists, too, make appointments only on
days forecasted as clear, saving their
plate work for Indictment weather
| Stow warnings bring the snow fighting
machines of the railroads into use
Flood warnings result in the removal
} of cattle from bottom lands and the
cutting of such crops as it possible
Grain and cotton brokers are guided
largely by maps and forecasts in their
opera tiehs. Even such enterprises as
tie manufacturing OF varnish, oils. ce-
ments, bricks and paper, as well as
chocolate and candies, are affected by
the weather. And SO it is that practi-
eally every industry is dependent to
some extent on the weather, md con :
sequentiy on the weather bureau
Washington Star