22 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
try has established here, would, without more ado or fur- 
ther cost, make the announcement the next morning in all 
the papers of the land. 
I allude to this as an exemplification only of some of 
the first fruits of the plan. I do not suppose that we 
should be able to telegraph in advance of every shower of 
rain, but without doubt the march of the rains that are 
general, can be determined in time to give the people in 
some portions of the country at least, warning of their ap- 
proach. 
Such an office as will be required here in Washington 
to carry out the details of this plan is already in existence. 
It was established by Mr. Calhoun when he was Secre- 
tary of War, and it is under the control of the Surgeon 
General of the Army. There the meteorological observa- 
tions made at our military posts are discussed and 
published ; and one of the most valuable and interesting 
reports concerning the meteorology and climate of the 
country that has ever appeared, is now in course of pub- 
lication there. Or such an office might be mede a branch 
of the “Agricultural division of the Patent Office.” In 
either case the nucleus for it is already in existence ; and 
the only expense necessary would be on account of the 
addition to the force of the office that would be required to 
discuss the observations after they are made. 
Hence, you will perceive, that what I want is, that the 
farmers and planters, and all who are interested in the 
weather, should not only give me their good will, but that 
they should use their influence in helping to bring about 
such a system of meteorological co-operation for the land, 
as we have already established for the sea. 
I make the appeal to the farming interest especially, be- 
eause that is the great interest to be subserved by the 
scheme ; and if the farmers do not really care enough 
about it to use their influence with their representatives 
in Congress to procure the very trifling approbation that 
is required to get it under way, I do not see why I should 
give myself any further trouble in the matter. 
Will you not bring the subject in some tangible shape 
before the Agricultural Societies of the country I A simple 
memorial from them to Congress, would not fail to pro- 
«ure all the legislative aid necessary. 
Some of the leading scientific men of Europe are ready 
to join us in such a plan ; and with authority to confer 
with them officially as to details, I have no doubt that 
most of the governments of the world would undertake, 
each for itself and within its own territories a correspond- 
ing series of observations, so that we should then be able 
to study the movements of this great atmospherical ma- 
chinery of our planet as a whole, and not as hitherto in 
isolated detached parts. Respectfully, &c., 
F. M, Maury, Lieut. U. S. N. 
Messrs. Sands & Worthington. 
N, B. — Series of observations, more or less extensive, 
have been undertaken in various parts of the country, and 
for objects more or less general and useful. Among them 
may be mentioned those of the Smithsonian Institution, 
under the direction of Prof. Henry, the immediate object 
<yf which is an investigation of the law of storms. Several 
of the States, and many individuals co-operating with 
him; also those of Louisiana, by Dr. Barton, concerning 
sanitary laws — and those of Prof. Espy and others. 
It is hardly necessary to add that the plan now pro- 
posed is not calculated to interfere with any of those ; on 
the contrary, it is in furtherance of them all, and differs 
firom them only in being universal, and in establishing co- 
operation and concert between the observers at sea and 
those on land . — American Farmer. 
Change of Food for Horses. — The kind of food for 
animals should be changed frequently. A horse long kept 
on shorts, will be affected by a fever in his legs and feet, 
producing a result similar to founder. Shorts, corn meal, 
or cobmeal, should never be given, except in a mixed 
state with cut hay, or straw. This will require them tc 
eat slowe-r, and the food is better prepared for digestion. 
If given alone, it ferments rapidly in the stomach, pro- 
duces a general fever, injures the digestive powers, and 
finally produces a stiffness throughout the limbs. When 
these results are discovered, the remedy is a change of 
food. Continued feeding on oats, alone, will produce the 
same results as shorts, or meal ; and many a founder is 
caused by it, as well as by feeding, or drinking w'hen the 
horse is warm. If necessity compels a person to feed a 
horse on shorts, corn meal, oat meal or cob meal, a supply 
of salt should be added to prevent fermentation in the 
stomach. — Ohio Farmer. 
INVENTED BY A. P. BROWN, OF BRATTLEEORo’, Vr. 
The advantage of using wind in preference to horse or 
steam power has not been duly appreciated by farmers 
and mechanics. All the difficulties in using wind-pow'er 
to advantage are overcome in the mill above represented. 
It is ingenious, simple, and a most perfect regulator of its 
own motion. It spreads a wide sail to a light breeze, and 
a small surface to a heavy one. An accelerated motion is 
checked by the action of the mill itself as readily as the 
steam engine is checked by the action of WatVs Centrifu- 
gal Governor. 
Its construction will be readily understood by reference 
to the engraving. The radical feature in which this ma- 
chine differs from others is simply this: — It governs the 
obliquity ofits own fans, A:, to the wind by means of the 
centrifugal force of those fans. Each is furnished with a 
helical or spiral slot and pin, made fast in the arm, as seen 
at i, Jig. 2. In case of acceleration, the tendency of the 
fans is to overcome a suitable coiled spring, or a weighted 
lever, and to move farther out on their respective arms, 
and in so doing the spiral groove, or slot, slides on the 
pin and turns the fan more and more edgewise to the wind , 
presenting less surface. 'When the velocity of the wheel 
is diminished, the spring or weight immediately draws 
the fans in an opposite direction, and the same slot and 
pin turn them more to the wind, always adjusting itself to 
the necessities of the occasion. 
Farmers and others in want of a cheap motive power,, 
should look to the inducements offered of putting up 
wind-mills upon their farms or premises. It may be used 
very economically to pump water for irrigating or drain- 
ing land, watering cattle, or for household purposes to the 
tops of houses. It may be used, and will operate very 
