DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 139 



The uiimber of voliiiitaiy observation stations lias, however, not de- 

 creased materially, and the work of the voluntary observers has as a rule 

 been of a high order. 



Owing to the increased cost of material and the labor of printing, the 

 Monthly Bulletin has been abridged by cutting out the monthly charts, 

 the title page, and the remarks of observers. This has brought the bulle- 

 tin down to the very minimum of what it should possibly be as a pub- 

 lication of record. 



Even with this saving in printing it is doubtful whether the budget 

 appropriation Avill be enough for the bare needs of the service up to 

 and including June 30, 1921. 



The weekly Weather and Crop Bulletins have continued to be issued 

 during the planting, growing and harvesting season. These bulletins 

 are distributed to a considerable mailing list, besides being published in 

 daily and weekly newspapers. 



The administrative work of the office has continued to increase on 

 account of much heavier call for all sorts of meteorological information. 

 This office is very fre(piently consulted by prospective farm buyers and 

 many requests come from ])Ower companies in connection with water 

 power developments. Besides these there are almost countless requests 

 for information in raili'oad claim settlements, legal controversies in- 

 volving the condition of the weather and the latest inquiry in the office 

 that lias been answered has been in connection Avilli the location of a 

 ranch for the propagation of fur bearing animals. 



In fact a detailed report on the various kinds of meteorological data 

 furnished would show that our records are consulte<l by almost every 

 kind of commercial and agricultural activity in the State, and, fully just- 

 ifies the very meager appropriation which is granted bv the State. 



C. F. SCHNEIDER, 

 Director, 

 (h-and Kapids, Mich., dune :J(), 11)20 



REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY. 



WEATHER BUREAU. 



Dr. Frank S. Kedzie, 



President, Michigan Agricultural College, • 



Dear Sir: Regarding the work done by the Department of Meteoro- 

 logj during the fiscal year just closed, I beg to state that the usual course 

 in meteorology was conducted for junior and senior agricultural stud- 

 ents during the spring term of 1020. 



Tliis is a five credit subject, consisting of three lectures and four hours 

 of laboratory work per week. 



Very respectfully, 



D. A. SEELEY, 

 Instructor in Meteorology. 

 East Lansing, Mich., June 30, 1020. 



