80 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



covered. Observations are made aiul telegraphed in the same man- 

 ner as are those at the Weather Bureau aerolo<rical stations. 



Special observations were made during the year in connection with 

 the trans-Atlantic flight of the British dirigible R-SJ^^ the Army and 

 Navy race from St. Louis, and the recruiting trip of the NC-Jt. 



CENTRAL OFFICE. 



All observations made at kite and balloon stations, Weather Bu- 

 reau, Army, and Navy, are forwarded to the central office of the 

 Weather Bureau for final reduction and study. Data based upon 

 these observations are furnished in answer to numerous inquiries not 

 only from other Government departments but from commercial avia- 

 tion concerns as well. A summary of aerological investigations at 

 Drexel, Nebr., was published and widely distributed. Similar sum- 

 maries for the other kite stations are in preparation. Several papers, 

 containing discussions of aerological data and their application, were 

 published, and work was begun on an aerological survey of the United 

 States east of the Rocky Mountains based upon all kite and balloon 

 observations thus far obtained. 



CLIMATOLOGY. 



The work in climatology during the fiscal year just closed was 

 carried forward mainly along the lines pursued in previous years. 



The someAvhat deranged conditions of the observing force at numer- 

 ous stations, due to frequent changes, tended to less accurate work 

 and thereby added to the work of the checking and verification. P"re- 

 quent changes in the clerical force and a lessened efficiency, due to the 

 general lowering of the morale, have hindered progress and added 

 materially to the labors of the more responsible supervising em- 

 ployees. 



On the whole, however, the station forms work has been nearer the 

 standard required than might have been expected and much credit 

 is due to officials in charge of the several stations for the diligence 

 shown in securing good work under the frequently continued handi- 

 cap of untrained assistants. 



A considerable increase in work to meet the needs of aviation has 

 been entailed by the call for wind movement and duration from the 

 different direction points, but it is thought the data finally sum- 

 marized from all sources are believed to be of the high standard 

 usually maintained. 



No change has been made in the manner of presenting the climatic 

 statistics gathered by the Bureau, save in the case of Form 1030, 

 Monthly Meteorological Summary, issued at the close of each month 

 from practically all stations. This form has been revised to include 

 much additional material pertaining to the hourly temperature and 

 moisture values, as well as additional comparative data, and is now 

 being issued at practically all stations provided with proper printing 

 facilities. Also the policy of encouraging the press to print in their 

 daily issues more data on moisture, inaugurated last year, has con- 

 tinued, and this is now being accomplished satisfactorily at the ma- 

 jority of stations. 



