Norwich bulletin., 1920-11-05
of view about as near perfect as we can

of view about as near perfect as we can expect on earth
 The exceptional and Iong-continued warmth has sufficed not only to save many crops which at one time seemed hopeless, but stimulate them to full normal production. Furthermore. it has enabled the husbandInan to harvest them in unusually good condition. It would be hard to find adequate excuse for the farmer who, this fa~'l, loses any really valuable crop through inability to garden The papers are full of items about be- lated fruits saved far beyond the usual limit for them. On this hill farm, where we usually expect k: fling frosts not later than Sept. 25, I picked October 26, ripe firm and delicious tomatoes and egg plant. For a considerable time we have been enjoying regular bi-weekly rasp- berry short cakes from our small patch of i vines. Mrs. Farmer also finds occasional strawberries. I read, the other day, l that a Troy, N. T., fruit store had receiv 1 ed several crates of fresh picked wild strawberries from the Adirondacks, where
 the guides reported that a second crop was coming on profusely.
 Of course, we've all had trouble in get ting help enough to save the crops which were matured, but. so far as weather has been concerned. we could hardly have found it more satisfactory if we'd had the making of it in our own hands, And it's a tribute to the underlying sound
 ness of human feeling that most of us l seem willing to admit this as we were to grouch over the bad weather of last 1 summer.
 Now. however, the turn is at hand AS long ago as October 14 big snow storm
 ragged over the southern part of Colorado.
 breaking down wires, caying in roSfs and
 absolutely blocking all communication
 with several towns. October 30 a light sprinkle of snow whitened the roofs of
 my own buildings. We may accept it as
 fact that the farming season of 1920 is
 at last over. WhereupOn, in pursuance of one of the
 queerest traits of queer human nature,
 we're all beginning to speculate upon
 what sort of winter is ahead of us. l
 can hardly pick up a paper without find
 ing in it reported predictions of one or
 another weather prophet, affirming the character of the coming season. AS us- ual one prophet predicts an open winter
 and one a severe winter. The rest ,of
 us can pay our money and take our
 choice.
 Or
 We can do what is much better and wiser; throw all the predictions of which
 ever sort, into the fire and take what
 comes, when it comes. s Unclo Ike's philosophy of life fits the case to a T. Always hope for the
 best-and expect the worst" If we dc that. we're not going to be seriously dis. ; appointed or fatally hurt. whichever way things turn out.
 I seem to remember that a large ma.
 jority of the weather prophets, both pro. fessional and amateur, predicted a veal ago, that the winter of 191S-19 was go ing to be exceptionally open and mild. I turned out, as doesn't need to be re peated, the widest and worst winter 1T human memory. There. is no reason tC ! doubt that most of the predictions mad,
 for the coming winter are just as wise : just as sure-footed, and just as trust !, worthy as those made a year ago fo, Q last winter.
 Of course, under the law of chances
 somebody is likely to guess right, ono [ in q while. He is at the same time s just as likely to guess wrong Evel : when he makes one right gress, this i D no guarantee of a second stroke of lucl : following 8 second guess.
 Q Long-distarce weather prophecy is. a e present. about the biggest waste of guess
 work and good breath which man cal e be capable of. When all the resources c l. the government and all it's millions 0 e expenditure can't enable the weather bu l. reau to forecast tomorrow's weather righ Il more than half the time, any attempt t 1t predict the weather for six months ahea It should be left to the inmates of asylum J. for the feeble-minded.
 1t It is safe to say that we shall have