PROCEEDINaS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 87 



Barometers as Weather Guides. 



Mr. Charles Wilder, Peterboro, N. H., stated that he is a man- 

 ufacturer of barometers, aud he desired an expression from the 

 Club in regard to the practical utility of these instruments for 

 common farmers. He said his agents stated that the Farmers' 

 Club of New York had denounced the use of a barometer on a 

 farm, and they found the influence of such an expression exceed- 

 ingly detrimental to their interests. He desired Mr. Solon Rob- 

 inson to give his views as to its practical value for common 

 ftirmers. 



Mr. Solon Robinson said that as his remarks had been called in 

 question, he would now state it as his firm, honest belief that a 

 barometer was of no possible, practical utility to a farmer. It 

 will sometimes indicate the approach of wind, and sometimes they 

 may be accompanied by rain. When he commenced his observa- 

 tions he was a firm believer in the value of the barometer, a belief 

 gained without knowledge from the reading of the statements of 

 others, that by observing certain rules one could always foretell 

 the approach of storms. These rules are utterly fallacious as laid 

 down in all scientific w^orks, and copied upon the cards and adver- 

 tisements of barometer makers. One of the best letters ever read 

 before this Club upon the use of barometers -was by an old Qua- 

 ker farmer in Salem Co., N. J. He was able to relj on his barom- 

 eter, but did it by going just contrary to all printed directions 

 and scientific theories. I have published the experience of dozens 

 who have tried barometers aud found the^^ could not rely on them, 

 I did believe that we should find practical value in them, but I 

 frankly say now I do not believe they are worth one cent. When 

 they sink lowest, indicating certain rain, there is just as likely to 

 be nothing but wind. I believe the favorable reports have come 

 from observing one case in which the barometer happened to be 

 right, and overlooking a hundred others when it was wrono-. 



Mr. Adrian Bergen, an old Long Island farmer, said he did not 

 believe in barometers. His experience had taught him to place 

 no reliance on them as weather guides. 



The chairman said it had been stated at a former meetino- of the 

 Club, that a minister, having a barometer, caused the church beli 

 to be rung, when his barometer indicated a storm, so that all his 

 parishioners might prepare in time for the shower; and those who 

 heeded the bell secured their grain and hay, Avhile unbelievers 

 suffered loss from the storm. 



