BY P. OLSSON-SEFFER, PH. D. 115 



meteorologist and the bioloorist, as well as the agriculturists 

 have to work hand in hand with their colleagues in other parts 

 of the world. 



We need scarcely say that, by reason of it.s geographical 

 position, Australia is especially a good place for meteorological 

 researches. The well established system of meteorological 

 stations distributed all over the country and the high-level 

 mountain observatories already in work — -an undertaking 

 showing great foresight on the part of its initiator — -make it 

 possible to forecast the weather conditions with an accuracy 

 which cannot be surpassed in any other country. The rapid 

 development of communication, railways, telegraphs, telephones, 

 etc., will make it possible to spread intelligence of a threatening 

 frost into naarly every cottage, so that the farmer need not even 

 in this instance rely upon his own judgment, but can throw 

 his responsibility on more experienced shoulders. 



THE FROST INVESTIGATIONS IN SWEDEN AND 



FINLAND. 



The first scientific inquiry re the frost phenomenon in 

 those countries was made by a Professor Hiillstroni, in Finland,. 

 1804. He published a prize essay, for a long time considered 

 and used as a standard-work on this question. In Sweden 

 Hamberg took up the question in the seventies, and Lenistroni 

 started at the same time his investigations in Finland. The 

 interesting results obtained by these scientific inquiries caused. 

 a general interest in the question. Homen made some valuable 

 experiments during 1880 and has since devoted himself to the 

 study of the frost phenomenon. 



In 1892 the Geographical Society of Finland com- 

 menced investigations about night frosts and their dis- 

 tribution in the country. Circulars containing questions 

 relative to the night frost and its effects on the vegetation were 

 distributed to all parts of the country, and detailed reports were 

 voluntarily sent to the Society. The information thus collected 

 has been compiled and published from year to year in the 

 Society's bulletins by a prominent biologist. Professor Kihlman, 

 and many a doubtful question has thus been settled. 



Meanwhile the Government has interested itself in the 

 matter. Besides giving the above mentioned Society all 

 assistance in form of free postage, etc., a frost commission 

 consisting of scientists and practical farmers was appointed 

 for establishing an official scientific inquiry. 



