EDITORIAL. 709 



development of the plant, of all the work done on the plats, any injuries 

 caused by meteorological or ()th(>r factors, and the tinal yields of grain 

 and straw. In addition to these observations some stations study the 

 underground waters, the intensity of the sun's energy, the relation of 

 the atmospheric conditions to cultivation of the soil, and similar matters. 



The stations differ in their equipment, and on this basis are divided 

 into two classes. Those of the second class have only the more com- 

 mon apparatus, and their studies are therefore of a more limited 

 character. 



The agricultural-meteorological stations are for the most part con- 

 nected with the experiment stations, experimental fields, and agricul- 

 tural schools, although some are located on private estates. In 

 addition to the stations there are a large number of "observation 

 plats," which are provided with simpler meteorological apparatus, 

 some having, also, apparatus for the determination of soil moisture. 



Earlv in 1901, when the article was prepared, there were 65 of these 

 agricultural-meteorological stations, 21 of which were of the first class 

 and 44 of the second class, and 113 observation plats, 90 of which were 

 provided with apparatus for studying soil moisture in addition to the 

 atmospheric conditions. The Meteorological Bureau, in addition to 

 its work in agricultural meteorology, is elaborating plans for weather 

 forecasting, although little has been done in that direction as yet. 



The list of publications of the Meteorological Bureau includes papers 

 on the practical importance of agricultural meteorology, instructions 

 for making the simplest agricultural-meteorological observations, an 

 article on the relation of the cereal crops to sun spots and meteoro- 

 logical factors, and a review of the observations of the agricultural- 

 meteorological stations of Central Russia, together with a number of 

 more popular publications on the relation of meteorological conditions 

 to crop production. 



This is evidently the most extensive and systematic series of insti- 

 tutions for the study of agricultural meteorolog}' Avhich has been 

 inaugurated by any country, and its work will ))e followed with much 

 interest. If nothing more is done than to work out satisfactory 

 methods and a basis for correlating the meteorological and soil condi- 

 tions with the production of staple crops, the results will })e of wide- 

 spread importance, and will pave the way for similar studies by the 

 experiment stations in various countries. 



