190 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Do.. 



the displayer, and send from these centres the warnings to 

 all growers in the vicinity by the means best adapted to each 

 locality. One man suggested last fall that the flag be 

 displayed from coaches; another asked, "Why not ring the 

 church bells?" and still another would have the steam cars 

 blow the warning whistle every few miles. 



In regard to the crop question, I will say that we wish to 

 enlist a corps of crop correspondents over New England for 

 the coming season. We desire men who are practical farm- 

 ers, and men who know the condition of the crops around 

 them. There were about seventy such men last summer 

 who reported weekly, on blanks furnished by the Society, 

 the condition of the crops and the way they were affected 

 by the weather. The results of their reports were condensed 

 and telegraphed to Washington every Saturday, and were 

 there combined with other such telegrams from each State, 

 and issued as a crop bulletin. Our own reports were also 

 bulletined at our Cambridge office, and those are sent out to 

 any agricultural body or school or newspaper that will make 

 use of them. This is considered the most important work 

 which the State weather service can do, as giving the farmers 

 a practical knowledge of the condition of the crops through- 

 out the country. 



You see from what has been said that, while the Weather 

 Bureau is trying in every way possible to aid the farmer and 

 enlarge this work in his interest, the farmers have got to 

 meet us part way ; and as a representative of the Weather 

 Bureau I wish to meet agricultural bodies, granges or indi- 

 viduals, for the purpose of getting acquainted with and 

 learning the needs of the agricultural community ; and I 

 assure you that the Weather Bureau is willing to give you what 

 you want and demand in this line as far as possible. If all 

 these bulletins, weather forecasts and frost warnings are of 

 advantage to you, then, by a little effort on the part of a 

 neighborhood or farmers' club or grange, each community 

 can have them; and, if they are not of advantage, then, 

 after giving them a trial, just say so, and any suggestions 

 that you may make will be taken advantage of if possible. 



Adjourned to Thursday, at ten o'clock. 



