WEATHEK BUREAU. 5 



The followincc warnings, telegraphed from Washington to Jackson- 

 ville for distribution in Florida, resulted in the protection of more 

 than #1,000,000 worth of fruit, vegetal)les, and other propertj^ and a 

 direct saving of $540,000: 



Washington, D. C, December 19, 1901. 



Center of low moving rapidly southeastward over Gtilf . Minimum tempera- 

 ture to-night in central and north Florida will eqiial last night, and ontlook is for 

 lower temperature Friday night. All precautions against damage by cold justified 

 for next two nights. 



Washington, D. C, Decemher 20, 1901. 



Temperature will fall to about 30" at Jacksonville to-night, with temperature 

 below freezing in the interior as far south as Jupiter. Emergency warnings and 

 notify postmasters. 



The floods of the Upper Ohio River in December, 1901, are referred 

 to hy the Pittsburg Gazette, of December 16, 1901, as follows: 



The disaster to a large fleet of coal boats on the river last night is shown to be 

 not chargeable to the weather service, which sent early warning of the coming 

 of the high waters. 



The destructive floods in the Appalachian Mountain streams during 

 the closing days of February, 1902, were anticipated bj^the following 

 warning, telegraphed February 23 from Washington to Weather 

 Bureau stations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia for distribution: 



Warmer weather indicated for next two days, with conditions favorable for 

 rain by Monday night. These conditions will be most favorable for a general 

 breaking up of ice in the mountain rivers and streams of Pennsylvania, western 

 Maryland, and West Virginia. Notify all interests concerned that danger from 

 flood in low-lying land is imminent. 



DISTRIBUTION OF FORECASTS AND SPECIAL WARNINGS. 



Much attention has been given to the mail distribution of daily 

 forecasts through the rural free deliveiy, and a substantial increase 

 was made in this direction, although during the latter part of the 

 year our efforts were greatly hampered by lack of funds for the j)ur- 

 chase of the necessary supplies for carrjdng on this important work. 



There were in operation August 1, 1902, 10,025 rural free-delivery 

 routes, serving approximately 1,000,000 families, of which but 105,000 

 families (about 10 i3er cent), served by about 1,000 routes, could be 

 furnished with the forecasts of the Weather Bureau from tlie funds 

 available for that purpose. 



The Post-Office Department estimates that there will be in operation 

 by Jul}^ 1, 1903, 15,000 routes serving approximately 1,500,000 families. 

 With tlie necessaiy funds it would be possible to make the distribu- 

 tion of the daily forecasts of the Weather Bureau coextensive with 

 the rural free delivery itself. The distribution of forecasts by this 

 means alone would require not less than 450,000,000 blank forms for 

 the routes that will be in operation on July 1, 1903. The purchase of 

 these forms, together with the necessary printing appliances and the 

 employment of the assistance required, will cost, it is estimated, not 

 'less than $100,000. 



