88 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



North Head-Portland {Wash-Oregon) section {telegraph) . — In- 

 terruptions of service, totaling about 344 hours, were frequent but 

 of short duration, caused mostly by improper management of re- 

 peaters at Fort Stevens. 



Nearly a half mile of the line between North Head and Fort 

 Canby was destroyed by a severe storm December 1. Prompt re- 

 pairs were accomplished with but slight expense. Telegraphic busi- 

 ness consists principally of meteorological and vessel reports, no 

 commercial telegrams being handled. 



Tatoosh-Port Angeles {Wa^h.) section {telegraph). — The course 

 of this line of approximatel}^ 90 miles along the southern shore 

 of the Strait of Juan de Fuca is mostly through heavy timber and 

 for a large part along a county road. Extensive logging opera- 

 tions in the vicinity of the line have for a number of years past in- 

 terfered with continuous communication to a considerable extent, 

 necessitating frequent repairs. Heavy storms during the winter 

 are also a fruitful source of trouble. Less than the usual amount of 

 damage resulted during the past year, the cost of upkeep having 

 been approximately $1,000. These interruptions totaled 29 days 

 and 2 hours, 10 days of which was due to prostration of the span 

 wire between Cape Flattery and Tatoosh Island. 



Extensive repairs, including changes in the course of the line 

 and some reconstruction work, are contemplated during the present 

 fiscal year, which will require an expenditure of about $1,200. 



The line continues to be of benefit to logging, shipping, fishing, 

 and other private interests in addition to its primary use for meteor- 

 ological purposes. About 11,000 commercial messages Avere handled 

 during the year, with receipts of approximately $2,100, Government 

 tolls; also 2,400 Government messages and 1,500 long-distance tele- 

 phone calls. 



AEROLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



Kite stations. — Observations with kites were made regularly at 

 Broken Arrow, Okla. ; Drexel, Nebr. ; Due West, S. C. ; Ellendale, 

 N. Dak. ; Groesbeck, Tex. ; and Royal Center, Ind. Kite flights 

 are made daily, whenever possible, and, in addition when conditions 

 are favorable, continuous series of flights are made for periods of 

 24 to 36 hours. Recerds of air pressure, temperature, humidity, and 

 wind are thus obtained. 



Pilot-hallo on stations. — Observations by means of pilot balloons 

 were made at the six kite stations, above listed, and at Burlington, 

 Vt. ; Denver, Colo. ; Ithaca, N. Y. ; Key West, Fla. ; Lansing, Mich. ; 

 Madison, Wis.; San Francisco, Calif.; San Juan, P. R. ; and Wash- 

 ington, D. C. The observations are made twice daily at the six 

 kite stations and at Key West, Fla., and Washington, D. C, and 

 once each day at the remaining stations, and the computed wind 

 conditions at various heights are telegraphed to district forecast 

 centers at Washington, D. C, Chicago, 111., and San Francisco, 

 Calif., where they form the basis for " Flying Weather " forecasts 

 issued to the military, naval and postal aviation services. 



Special observations have been made, when requested, for use in 

 connection with long-distance flights, free-balloon races, etc. 



