98 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



atum, of course, is to maintain the records continuously. The work of 

 observation is entirely voluntary and as a result the personnel of the 

 voluntary observers is quite changeable. The observer has nothing but 

 interest in the work and public-spiritedness to prompt him to take the 

 observations, and when it is remembered that a good record requires a 

 daily reference to the instruments, it can be easily understood that the 

 work, at times, becomes onerous; nevertheless, splendid results have 

 been obtained and a very large measure of credit is due to Michigan's 

 very excellent corps of voluntary observers. 



The equipment remains the same and is of standard type as compared 

 with that in use in other states. 



The meteorological data secured through the co-operation of these 

 voluntary observers is constantly finding a wider field of usefulness 

 and becoming more valuable to the people every' year as is evidenced by 

 the increasing demands on this office for information. 



The Weekly Climate and Crop Bulletin which has been published 

 during the planting, growing and harvesting seasons, continues in favor 

 with the public and is published in condensed form by the metropolitan 

 press and a large part of the smaller newspapers. The information it 

 contains is considered very reliable and recent. We have, at present, 

 nearly 700 crop correspondents who report weekly for this Bulletin. 

 Their reports are mailed so as to reach this office Monday noon and by 

 Tuesday afternoon the Weekly Bulletin has been printed and mailed. 



The Monthly and Annual publications, which contain statistical me- 

 teorological data that is reported by the voluntary observers, have been 

 published in the same style and form as in previous years. The data 

 is all displayed in detail and tabulated homogeneously with the reports 

 published in other states in the Union so that it can be readily com- 

 pared with any other part of the country. These Monthly and Annual 

 Keports are widely sought for. 



The forecast dissemination outside of the newspapers is accomplished 

 principally through the medium of forecast cards sent out from 53 dis- 

 tributing centers and by rural telephone service from rural telephone 

 exchanges to about 5,000 rural subscribers. The present rapid exten- 

 sion of rural telephone service is opening up a new medium for the dis- 

 semination of our forecasts that is very expeditious and satisfactory. 

 As rapidly as possible I am arranging to supply rural telephone ex- 

 changes with the daily forecasts and special warnings on the condition 

 that they be furnished promptly, regularly and impartially to rural 

 subscribers. These conditions the telephone people are glad to accept 

 because it makes the telephone more desirable to the farmer. 



Quite a number of voluntary observation stations have been inspected, 

 but I was unable to make as many inspections as usual on account of 

 lack of funds and time. The inspection of voluntary observation sta- 

 tions is considered a very important feature because it promotes better 

 work on the part of the observer and in many cases corrects exposure 

 of instruments and mistaken ideas and reading and making observations 

 that cannot be satisfactorily accomplished by letter; it also tends to 

 bring the voluntary observer into closer and more harmonious touch with 

 the Service. 



To resume, I would say that the mailing list of the Weekly Crop Bul- 

 letin is about 1,300, of the Monthly Bulletin about 1,100 and of the 



