124 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



heretofore had not appeared in convenient form for distribution 

 and study. This work was accomplished largely by the hearty 

 cooperation of the office forces at the various stations provided with 

 printing facilities, and much credit is due station officials for the 

 spirit of cooperation exhibited, particular attention being invited to 

 the Fort Worth, Tex., office, where more than 20 such reports were 

 printed. These reports serve many needs at the stations and are 

 greatly in demand for answering questions concerning local weather 

 conditions. 



COOPERATIVE WORK. 



The gathering of weather data by our large army of cooperative 

 observers progressed as usual, though no great effort was made to 

 extend this work, save in a few localities where the absence of a per- 

 manent population interferes with the collection of continuous data. 



As indicating the increasing demands for weather information in 

 connection with business interests, attention is invited to the numer- 

 ous requests for the opening of new observing stations and the will- 

 ingness of individuals, companies, and other organizations to furnish, 

 without cost to the Government, the necessary outfit of instruments, 

 provided the bureau will advise as to the selection of the necessary 

 apparatus, supervise its exposure, and have general control of the 

 observations in order to assure the collection of reliable data. The 

 country is mainly so well covered with reporting stations that no 

 material extensions are required, and such new stations as are being- 

 opened, particularly those recording temperature, are mainly at the 

 expense of those requiring the service. 



Cordial cooperation continues with many departments and bureaus 

 of the Government in securing observations from localities which 

 otherwise would be unrepresented on account of scarcity of popula- 

 tion. This is particularly the case with the Forest and Indian Serv- 

 ices, whose employees cover areas having no stable population. 



INSPECTION OF COOPERATIVE STATIONS. 



On account of lack of sufficient funds for several years, the inspec- 

 tion of cooperative stations has been badly handicapped, and a cry- 

 ing need for wholesale inspections is now apparent. As stated in 

 previous reports, such inspections are necessary to establish that per- 

 sonal connection between the bureau and the cooperative observer 

 which seems so necessary to permanent cooperation. In fact, the 

 lack of this contact is believed to be the weakest point now existing in 

 our system of cooperation in collecting weather data. 



WEATHER INSURANCE. 



The demands of the public for protection on account of changes 

 in the weather, in every conceivable manner, have necessitated on 

 the part of insuring companies the collection and careful study 

 of precii)itation statistics, and many calls have been made on this 

 division, as well as the various stations, for data on the distribution 

 of precipitation during the various parts of the day and otherwise, 

 in order to arrive at rates reasonable to those seeking protection 

 and safe to the insuring companies. The general matter of rain 

 insurance has necessarily entered into the field of our cooperative 



