FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 257 



had upon the weather of any section while moving across it. These 

 atmospheric waves, the crests of which are designated on the map by the 

 word "high" and the troughs or depressions by the word 'Uow" have a 

 general movement from west to east of about 600 miles per day. The 

 ''lows" bring cloudy weather and high winds; rain or snow is also asso- 

 ciated with the "lows," The "highs" brings clear weather with gentle 

 winds and colder weather. The movement of the air about the center 

 of "low" pressure is spirally Inwards and in the direction opposite the 

 movement of the hands of a watch; about a center of "high" pressure, 

 the winds flow outwards and in a direction similar to that of the hands 

 of a watch. By means of the large charts, upon which were shown typi- 

 cal storms of both kinds, these few general rules were plainly shown. 



After the daily forecast had been explained, the means employed for 

 its rapid and wide dissemination were then brought out as plainly as 

 possible. Next followed the uses to which the weather forecast is now 

 being put in our large business centers in the transaction of daily busi- 

 ness of all kinds; how these forecasts are posted in many of our smaller 

 postoflfices for the benefit of the agricultural communities, making such 

 postoflSces a reliable source of information regarding the oflScial forecast. 



The Michigan Weather Service and its organization was then 

 explained; the principal work of the State Weather Service being its 

 agency in distributing its forecasts; the collection and compilation of 

 meteorological data, especially temperature and precipitation, and the 

 issuance of the weekly crop bulletin during the planting, growing and 

 harvesting seasons. The great value of a good record of temperature and 

 precipitation for every locality in the State was dwelt upon at some 

 length and examples given to show how such data had been used to great 

 advantage. The manner of collecting this data through a corps of volun- 

 tary observers was then explained. The State furnishes these observers 

 with the necessary instruments for carrying on their work, the national 

 government furnishes the forms and other stationery, while the observ- 

 ers themselves keep up this daily work of meteorological observations 

 voluntarily and without any remuneration whatever. The great value of 

 the data which these voluntary observers collect has been used in many 

 ways; by the physician, the engineer, the lawyer, and examples of how it 

 was used in these different professions were also given. It was then 

 shown to what uses the farmer could put this same data in forwarding 

 his work. 



The crop bulletin of the service was next touched upon. This bulletin 

 is made up from reports of crop correspondents in all sections of this 

 State, and places before the people from week to week the prevailing 

 weather conditions and their effect upon farming operations and crops. 

 To obtain just this kind of intelligence far in advance of the farmer, the 

 speculator has paid a high price, and the farmer, being without the same 

 information, has not been upon an equal footing with the buyer of his 

 farm products. This bulletin is free to all, and places the dealer, the 

 producer and consumer upon an equal footing. As a record from season 

 to season it is also invaluable. 

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