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system of Meteorological Observations, now conducted by the Smithso- 

 nian Institution, is more extensive and complete than any before project- 

 ed ; and its results will, doubtless, when fully and definitely considered, 

 tend to exhibit the influence of chmate on animal and vegetable life, 

 and to explain its causes throughout our Continent. 



Those meteorological conditions which most directly affect agricul- 

 ture, are temperature, precipitation, and humidity. These, and the 

 temperature of the soil, every farmer ought to be able to measure ; the 

 cost of the instruments required being but trifling. Such observations 

 carried on accm-ately for a short time, would enable the observer to gain 

 for himself much important information, in regard to the nature and 

 conditions of soils, and the germination and growth of plants ; and 

 were the plan generally entered upon, a most valuable mass of scien- 

 tific matter would soon be collected. 



