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MEMORIAL 



OF THE COMMITTEE ON METEOROLOGY, 

 TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW-YORK, FOR THE PUKPOSE OF SUGGESTING AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE 



OBSERVATIONS MADE AT THE ACADEMIES OF THE STATE. 



The undersigned have been appointed, by the American Agricuhural Association, a Committee 

 to call your attention to some improvements in the present system of Meteorological Observations at 

 the Academies of this State. 



In order to exhibit this subject in its proper hght, it is necessary to present an historical sketch 

 of the progress of Meteorological Observations in the United States. Previous to the year 1819, no 

 systematic effort had been made in this country for the promotion of Meteorology. Registers had 

 been kept by various private individuals, but they were not numerous, nor was there any concerted 

 action. In 1819, under the direction of the then Secretary of War, John C. Calhoun, a system of 

 Meteorological Observations was commenced at the different Military Posts, Avhich has contmued to 

 the present time. This was a very important movement, and was prompted by a most liberal spirit. 

 It has fiunished us with an approximate knowledge of the mean temperature of a considerable 

 number of stations, many of them remote from the more populous parts of the United States. It 

 should, however, be remembered that the instruments provided never exceeded a thermometer and a 

 rain-guage. 



In 1825, this system of observations was mtroduced into the State of New- York, almost without 

 modification. Each of the Academies incorporated by the Board of Regents was furnished with a 

 thermometer and a rain-guage ; and was required to keep a register after a prescribed form, in order 

 to be entitled to a dividend of the public fund. This system has now contiimed for twenty years, 

 and the number of Academies reporting has increased from ten to forty. The plan was highly 

 creditable to the public spirit and scientific taste of New- York. It was a movement in advance of 

 public sentiment in the other States, and the observations were, perhaps, as extensive as it was 

 expedient to undertake at that time. These obsei-vations have determined, with considerable 



