1804.] Üse of the Barometer, as applied to Agriculture. 317

therefore, alone, must determine the heights of the mercury which in each place denote fair and foul weather.

<< Very heavy thunder Storms happen without sensibly affect ing the barometer, and in this case the Storm Seldom reaches far: when a thunder-storm is attended with a fall of the mer- cury its effect is much more extensive. And here I must men- tion an observation which[ have often Seen verified; viz. that when the quicksilver falls very low, tbe weather continuing mild, and the wind* moderate, a violent Storm happens at that time in Some distant place: this will account for a Seceming false prognostic that the barometer bas been often unjustly charged with."

To the fpregoing observations, Mr. Editor, which I have

reason to believe are tolerably correct, LI have little more to add, than in general to remark that a barometer is, in my opinion, as useful"an appendage to an agriculturist, as almost any of his implements, for unless his operations are conducted with an observant eye to the present or probab/y future State of the weather, as well as Soil, the produce of his labours will fall Short of his expectations, or(what is equally fatal to him) will Suffer from ill-timed, though otherwise commendable ex- ertions to house it. ' However fickle this our climate may be,(and our fathers insist on its being more 50 at this day than when they were boys) still I believe the truth of the asSertion,“ that Great Biitaiv, the year throughout, is blessed with a larger portion 6f weather im which the open air may be enjoved, than falls to the lot of any other country under the Sun." This being granted, with joyful hearts may we apply Horace's“ O for- tunati Agricole," to ourselves, and be thanktful to Providence who thus ordereth our Seasons. Our chief concern is to make the best use of them, and whether ploughing, S0wing, reap- ing, or harvesting, be the order of the day, to be particularly observant of the means put into our hands of ascertaining the best times for each operation, and above all, never to pass by a preSsent opportunity.

By way'of appendix to this tifling essay, allow me to copy from the Same work(Enrop. Mag. Dec. 1892) the following recipe for the cure of fies on turnips, as trifling, perhaps, as iny essay: for 1 confess ny imeredulity as to the eficaey of Sucn a preventative.“ To aquart of turnip Seed add one ounce of brimstone, fnely powdered; put both into a bottle, large

* OBSERVATOR has been guilty» I think, of a very great omiſſion in his remarks; in taking no-notice whatever"of the effects which deaf, cold, or „wd have reſpettively upon the glaſs, independent of the ar!d or humid ſtate of. tne atmoſphere. Perhaps one of your nunicrous correſpondents could ſupply the deficiency; for without ſuch further information, I acknowledge the preſent communication must remain a very impertett diredtor to the in- quiring ſtudent ef barometers.