AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION". 219 



eter in this latitude is twenty-nine and a half inches, and its average 

 fall and rise, or range, is nearly nine-tenths of an inch. 



The sinking of the barometer during the existence of a storm was? 

 difficult to understand upon the old principle's of meteorology, and in- 

 deed it could not be satisfactorily explained until Mr. Espy engaged in 

 the study of this science. Clouds were commonly believed to be heav- 

 ier than the air, and, therefore, it was considered an anomaly for the 

 barometer to sink beneath a cloud, although the fact of its sinking was 

 long and well established. 



The action of the barometer has a very important connexion with 

 Mr. Espy's theory, and it will be necessary to bear it always in mind in 

 applying this instrument to the elucidation of his views. If the height 

 of the mercury depends upon the pressure of the atmosphere, it follows 

 that the weight of the latter must be least where the former stands low- 

 est, and that the resistance of the air must exactly correspond with its 

 weight. The air must, therefore, he pressed imcard on all sides towards 

 the space where the barometer stands lowest, and, of course, if it stands 

 lower in the midst of a storm than it does all around its borders, the air 

 must always rush inwards towards the centre of a storm. Here, however, 

 a difficulty presents itself to the mind. If the air rushes in towards the 

 centre of a storm, the barometer, instead of sinking, ought to rise above 

 the mean by this concussion and seeming accumulation. Hence some 

 have hastily inferred, that because the barometer continues to sink, the 

 wind cannot blow in towards the centre of a storm. Were this diffi- 

 culty insurmountable it would be fatal to Mr. Espy's theory. I shall, 

 however, explain it in my next number. In the mean time it is desired 

 that every principle and fact laid down in this and future communica- 

 tions will be accurately recollected while developing this all important 

 and curious subject. 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATIO>r, 



Extract of a communication from an officer of the Agricultural Institute of Wal- 

 den, N. Y., to one of tfie Editing Committee. 



Mv Dear Sir : I embrace the earliest opportunity, after my return 

 home, to open the correspondence which I promised, at our recent in- 

 terview in Philadelphia. 



I felt highly gratified with the interest you manifested in the topic 

 of agricultural education, by an inquiry for information upon the sub- 

 ject, and still more so that you solicited such information and views as 



