28 EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



the present, as for previous years, has been in charge of Mr. Win. Q. 

 Force. 



The importance of meteorological observations in their connection 

 with agriculture is becoming better appreciated by the public, and 

 we think it probable that in due time our government will follow the 

 example of foreign countries in maintaining a more perfect series of 

 observations than has as yet been established. The average temper- 

 ature of the year and of the different seasons, the amount and fre- 

 quency uf rain, the time of early and late frosts, the length of the 

 "growing snnnncrs" and the recurrence of years of abnormal drought 

 or of low temperature, are all elements of great value in comparing 

 the relati\^e capacity of different parts of the country for special 

 productions. ' 



We have repeatedly stated in previous reports that our eastern sea- 

 board is far more favorably situated in regard to the prediction of 

 the occurrence of storms than the western coast of Europe, since it 

 has been conclusively shown that the principal disturbances of the 

 atmosphere in the temperate zone move from west to east. During 

 the past year the attempt has been made by the Institution to 

 resume with the co-operation of the telegraph lines the system of 

 telegraphic indications of the weather which was interrupted by 

 the war. We have, however, been unsuccessful, and indeed it can 

 scarcely be expected that without some remuneration to the companies, 

 the use of the telegraphic wires aiid the time of the operators should 

 be given for the purpose. 



The discussion and reduction of long series of observations of the 

 w^eather at particular places have been continued. The contributions 

 of this kind completed during the past year are deductions from the 

 meteorological observations made at Brunswick,. Maine, and Marietta, 

 Ohio. The discussions and reductions were made at the expense of 

 the Institution by Mr. Charles A. Schott, on the same plan as that 

 adopted in the discussion of the observations in the Arctic Regions 

 by Kane, McClintock and Hayes. 



Between the years 1807 and 1859 inclusive, meteorological records 

 were made with great regularity by the late Professor Parker Cleave- 

 land, of Bowdt)in college, at Brunswick, Maine, and after his death 

 were consigned to this Institution for reduction and publication. The 

 observations, though not intended by their author to be of a strictly 

 scientific character, were yet found sufficiently valuable to warrant 

 the expenditure of considerable labor in preparing them for the press. 



Brunswick is on the Androscoggin river, about 25 miles N. 40° E. 



