238 Signs of Ram. 
young shoots that are to grow from it; the only difference is as to 
the quantity, and what this requisite quantity for forming a suffi- 
cient seed potato is, remains to be ascertained. In the Rohan 
potato, it was only necessary to plant the eyes, with a very small 
proportion of the potato, one eye in a set, in the drill, was suffi- 
cient to produce from three to four large tubers, weighing eight 
ounces to a pound and over. 
SIGNS OF RAIN. 
It has been generally observed by meteorologists of the 
present day, that rain is indicated when the sun rises pale and 
sparkling, and soon becomes covered with clouds ; when it 
rises among ruddy clouds; when it sets under a dark cloud; 
when the edge of the moon is ill-defined; when she appears as if 
seen through a mist; when the stars are not as bright as usual; 
when the sky is of a deep blue color; when distant ob^cts are 
seen clearly, and as if near at hand; when sounds from a dis- 
tance, as the tolling of bells, &c., are heard distinctly; when 
there is no dew after a hot day; when there has been a supera- 
bundant hoar frost; when a cloud increases in size; when a cirro- 
stratus occurs on high, as a thin covering through which the sun 
is visible, and the cumulo-stratus, as a massive cloud, is at the 
same time seen on a lower level — and that fair weather may be 
anticipated when the sun sets red or cloudless ; when the edges of 
the moon are well defined, and the horns, best seen on her fourth 
day, are sharp; when the stars shine brightly; when the smoke 
rises in the air; and by the web of the spider being thickly wov- 
en on the edges of the pastures. To some extent I place reliance 
on the above remarks; at least, so far as to enable me to affirm 
that the appearances before mentioned as denoting rain will, if 
not followed by rain, almost invariably be succeeded by damp 
weather. But that which is of most importance is the knowledge 
of whether the vapors are increasing or decreasing in density; for 
the same state of the atmosphere is assumed whether they are 
on the decrease or increase. I think every one who has at- 
tended to the state of the atmosphere will agree with me in con- 
sidering that the prognostics above alluded to as indications of 
rain, will be succeeded by a dense state of the atmosphere, but 
that it is not absolutely necessary that this state should be heavy 
enough for rain to fall. — Love's Atmospheric Phenomena. 
