120 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jau. 



METEOROLOGY. 



The reofular meteoroloofical observations, commenced at 

 the Station in 1884, have been carried out as proposed 

 during 1885. Their pUm comprises the general routine 

 recommended to the voluntary observers of the United 

 States Signal Service; viz., tri-daily observations upon tem- 

 perature, relative humidity, precipitation and general condi- 

 tion of the sky. 



The records given here are the results of the first year's 

 observations made at the Station. They have a direct value 

 in connection with the Station work, as furnishing additional 

 data bearing on the field experiments ; and, beyond this, con- 

 tribute somethino; to the mass of meteorological records 

 sought for by the Signal Service. In the latter connection, 

 monthly reports of observations have been rendered to the 

 Chief Signal Officer. Copies of the records have also been 

 contributed to the New England Meteorological Society at 

 the close of each month, and published in its bulletin. 



The daily " Farmers' Bulletin," issued by the Signal Ser- 

 vice, was received by the Station until its publication was 

 discontinued in July. A valuable feature of these bulletins 

 was the cold wave predictions, which were indicated at the 

 Station by the display of the appropriate signal, — a white 

 flag with black center. This warning was hoisted seven 

 times in the months of January, February and March, and 

 in every case was justified by a marked fall in temperature 

 during the succeeding twenty-four hours. The meaning of 

 the signal was beginning to be understood ; and, could such 

 warnings have been given in the fall months, the season of 

 their greatest importance, their value would have been 



