The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-08-18
WEATHER man TO !
Be AID TO farmer
Uncle Sam Determines to Bring
Bureau Closer to Agri-
cuIturiSt.
STUDY EFFECTS OF SEASON
Ono Of Results Will Be Mapping Out
Of Areas In Which Various Crops
Can Be Grown to Ad-
vantage.

Uncle Sam has determined to hitch
his weather bureau closer to agricul-
tural conditions, and as long step IN
this direction has just organized IN the
weather agency new division Of agrl-
cultural meteorology. While the work
Of the weather bureau has always been
recognized as Of great Importance to
farmers, and because Of this the bu-
reau was made part of the agricultu-
raj department, it's services to agricul-
tursts have been in the past chiefly
In warnings Of adverse weather condl-
tons, frost and the like. The new
division will 90 much further, and Will
take up the constructive phases OF the
problems of plant growth.
To Carry on Experiments.
One of the principal aims will be def
nitely to correlate weather conditions
with specific crops through the carry
Ing on Of numerous experiments IN diff
ferent parts of the country. In this
work the state experiment stations Will
be called upon for cooperation. They
will furnish field plots, and will care
fully observe and record results.
Through the experiments the govern
mcnt experts will inquire into limit
ing effects Of season on the growth OF
specific plants in certain localities, the
effect of weather and climate on plant
growth the critical periods in the de-
velOpment of various crops and the ef-
feet of weather changes during these
periods, and the adaptability Of plants
to conditions in localities other than
those to which they have been accus-
toned.
One of the first steps which the new
division will take In the large field
which lies before it will be the making
of a survey of the work already done
In agricultural meteorology; for while
there has been heretofore no central
government agency to cOrrelate such
studies, number have been made In
dependently by the various experiment
stations, other bureaus of the depart
ment of agriculture and by individual
scientists.
Russia Leads in Work.
The way has also been blazed by the
governments Of other countries, and by
a strange anomaly the United States
will probably gain more valuable sug-
gestiOns and inspirations from Russia
than from any other nation. This vast
empire, which, in the great range OF
It's climatic conditions Is more nearly
like the United States than any other
country, organized q thoroughly scien'
tifc and practical government agency
for work in agricultural meteorology
as long ago as 1897, and. has achieved
some strikingly valuable results.
Agricultural specialists are agreed
that the new division Of the weather
bureau will in time gather and dis.
seminate information of the greatest
value to American farmers. Some of
the important results, 1t is believed
will be the definite mapping out Of the
acres in which various crops may be
grown, with probable extension Of the
growing regions of many; the adap'
tation Of varieties Of plants to new
conditions, the working out Of i'm
proved cropping plans which will take
advantage Of seasonal peculiarities and
the development of knowledge in re-
gard to critical periods in the life OF
plants which will make possible the
timing of certain agricultural pro.
cedure so that 1t will be most advan.
tageous.