IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 bi|28 |2.5 |«f IS us. 112.0 IL L25 i U. I |j6 ^ .,>* <^ y >> 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STIIIT WIUTIR.N.V. MSM (7U)l7a-4S03 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Inatituta for Historical Microraproductiona / Inttitut Canadian da microraproductiona hiatoriquaa Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes tachniquas at bibliographiquas The Institute has attamptad to obtain tha bast original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couieur r~71 Covers damaged/ Couvorture endommag6e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur^ et/ou pellicula I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes giographiques en couieur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couieur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couieur Bound with other material/ ReliA avac d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrie peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intArieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutias lors d'une restauration apparaissant dans la taxte. mais, lorsque ceia *tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas ttt filmtes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplAmentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ la meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6x6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sent paut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique. qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m6thode normale de fiimage sont indiquds ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ D Pages de couieur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^as Pages restored and/oi Pages restaurtos et/ou pelliculAes Pages discoloured, stained or foxei Pages d6color6es, tachaties ou piqu^es Pages detached/ Pages ditach^es Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of prir Qualiti inigaia de I'impression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du materiel supplAmentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible I I Pages damaged/ I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ rri Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages detached/ ry\ Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ nn Includes supplementary material/ r~~| Only edition available/ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. une pelure, etc., ont M filmies A nouveau da fapon A obtenir la mailleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux de riduction indlquA ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X aox / 12X 16X aox a4x 2SX 32X I itails I du odifier ' une mage The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: ;f Seminary of Quebec Library The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract apacif icationa. L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grdce i la g4n6rosit6 de: S^minaire de Quebec Bibliotheque Les images suivantes ont iti reproduiles avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at da la nattatA da I'axemplaira film6, et en conformity avac laa conditions du contrat da filmaga. Original copioa in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illuatrated imprea* sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other originel copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illuatrated imprea- sion, and ending on the laat page with a printed or illustrated impression. Lea axemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier eat imprim6e sont filmis an commen^ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la derniire page qui eomporte une empreinte d'Impreaaion ou d'iiiuatration. soit par le second plat, aelon le caa. Toua lea autres exemplairas originaux sont fiimis en commen^ant par la premiere page qui eomporte une empreinte d'Impreaaion ou d'iiiustration et en terminant par la dernlAre page qui eomporte une telle empreinte. The lest recorded frame on eech microfiche shall contain the symbol — »• (meening "CON* TINUED"). or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever appliea. Un daa aymboiea sulvants apparaltra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le caa: le symbole — »• signifie "A SUIVRE ". le symbole ▼ signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratioa. Thoae too large to be entirely included in one expoaure are filmed beginning In the upper left hend corner, left to right and top to bottom, aa many framea as required. The following diagrama illuatrate the method: Lea cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent ttre fllmAa i daa taux de reduction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour itra reproduit en un seul clich4, il est film* A partir de Tangle sup4rieur gauche, de gauche k droite, et de haut en baa. en prenant le nombre d'Imagea niceaaaire. Lea diagrammea suivants illustrent la mAthode. irrata to pelure, n A □ 32X f I • t t S 4 S 6 { ;;S'-'^'^^^<^.^i^-tf^=^l^-i'M^-^^-^'-^ ^. AVESCOTT'S '>-K".' CELEBRJ 3 rue de i'tJnivenpi. B A E O i°'^¥'f Jl, \ 1 4 i J, 1 I ? C^ INTENDED FOR GENERAL PRACTICAL AND SCIENTIFIC USE, CONSTRUCTED UPON A PRINCIPLE WHICH PERMITS ITS EASY AND SAFE PORTABILITY. I 1 T. MANUFACTURED IN MONTREAL, BY J. AVE SCOTT & CO. 42 St. Francois Xavieu Street. xm »■% #-v*^.» V^^*-^..^-* ^^^"%.^ «.^« ^« J. H. DOKWIN, * General Agent for CamuUL •^ [ s.m.e:. ^ V 1964 (. 1 [nn^.-^r^.^^ .-^X ^-.■^„>,J^-:-.-sgr>. ;>_^^^,. 7,..^r,.^ry;| lllontrc;il : , . w^ JOHN LOVELL, PRINTKIi, yi. NlCllpRAIS STREET.A>^ % .( 18UI. %>'.•- 00 ^^ r r > M ' V- ^ •■*-'*" >?■•' T ^SJt' • ^X J/' ^J^ t,T^ % 'V •. ^V-'V- :.%-■»- V^-^^« r'' ^J!* f«S^ K — '■%' ^ WESCOTT'S CELEBRATED STANDARD .•- '''Lk^Aii»"'' BAROMETEE INTENDED FOR GENERAL PRACTICAL AND SCIENTIFIC USE, CONSTRUCTED UPON A PRINCIPLE WHICH PERMITS ITS EASY AND SAFE PORTABILITY. MANUFACTURED IN MONTREAL, BY J. WESCOTT & CO. 42 St. Francois Xavier Street. J. H. DORWIN, General Agent for Canada. Pontrtal : JOHN LOVELL, PRINTER, ST. NICHOLAS ST t—^T. „ 18G1. ' ''^^^ r.'*'..i^^Sip£^a,ip« BIBLIOTKEQUE UK ♦I W.L'ABBE VERREAU Xo. /d Ch s, />, /.s7 t ^ii4AJL^'i/l/l^ a 'it* **-afc5«tA< L*4- ft' ■* , ''1 m'mfi-%,. A^:^ssm^^^^^mmim. THE BAROMETER. i f i A little more than two centuries have now elapsed since a pump was sunk at Florence for the purpose of raising water from an unusually great depth, resulting in the discovery that despite all the ingenuity which the operatives could then exercise, the water would not rise higher than about 32 feet. The celebrated Galileo was consulted about the phenomenon, but he failed to assign a reason for it. It nevertheless set that philosopher, and his no less cele- brated pupil Torricelli upon a train of ideas which resulted in the discovery of the barometer. The latter substituted mercury for water in some of his experiments, and he found that " nature's horror of a vacuum," which in water extended to about 32 feet, did not exceed 30 inches with regard to the latter fluid metal. Hence he justly concluded that both the water and the mercury in their respective heights, exerted the same influence against the atmospheric pressure, and that the counterbalance was of course equal, while subsequent philosophers gave to the vacuum or void which was observed above the mercurial column, when sustained in tubes longer than 30 inches, the name of the Torricellian va- cuum — the most perfect vacuum or void obtainable by human raeai i^. The Florentine Professor communicated his discovery to Vivian k who repeated the experiment in 1643, although he with- held the divulgcnce of the results for two years. At length Torri- celli died, but his place was worthily supplied by Blaise Pascal. In 1646 Pascal, who was renowned as much for his piety as his learning, performed Torricelli's experiment before a large audi- ence at Rouen. He further resolved to test the effect of high or elevated situations upon the height of the mercurial column. It was a bold idea but skilfully carried out. It was the eocperimmtum crucis, in the language of the Baconian philosophy, the one which fi'^t: ^r^ was to decide, the entertained but glimmering idea, that the mer- !ury was sustained in its height by the pressure of the atmosphere. Pascal, whose ill health at the time prevented him from attempt- ing the experiment, communicated his thoughts to his relative Berier at Auvergne, and the latter at once set about performing it. This event occurred on the 19th September, 1648. The mer- oury stood at 28 inches in the lowest part of Clermont in the garden of the P6res Minimes. The tube was then carried to the summit of a neighbouring mountainous peak, the Puy de Dome, ' ievated above the Ibrmer situation about 529 toises, and on being examined it was found to have fallen 3^^ inches, while on gradu- ally descending the sides of the mountain, the mercurial column was observed gradually to rise, until having arrived at the spot from which they started, it was found to have regained its primi- tive elevation. Nothing could have been more conclusive than this experiment, as it demonstrated in the clearest possible manner that the mercurial column was sustained in its height by the pressure of the atmosphere. The experiment was after- wards repeated by Pascal himself in Paris, by taking a tube to the top of a high tower in that city. It was further noticed that by keeping the tube for a length of time in a lixed position, the height of the column was found to vary from day to day within certain small limits, an eifect which could only be ascribed to fluctuations in the weight of the atmosphere itself. Since that period the experiment adverted to, has been performed numberless times both on the old and new continents ; •ind no fact in science is at the present day more clearly recog- nized, than that the height of the mercurial column is a true index of the pressure of the atmosphere, which it exactly counterbalances in weight in proportion to its diameter, and that this height varies with alterations in that pressure. It was not however until six years after the performance of these experiments that our own countryman Boyle applied a column of mercury to the purposes of meteorology. The simple apparatus devised by Torricelli, consisting of a tube containing mercury, of at least 30 or 32 inches, dipping into a cistern containing an additional quantity of the same metal, is in fact a barometer, a name subsequently given, and composed of two ^m^mmf*: Greek words signifying " measure of weight," {hams, metron). And although it has been distorted into endless varieties of shapes, and received numerous additions, yet they have been all abandoned one after the other, and the simple form in which Torricelli first ob- served the eflfect of the pressure of the atmosphere in sustaining the column of mercury, is now universally admitted to be the best form for noting the fluctuations in atmospheric pressure which are daily, nay hourly, taking place. This is the principle of the instrument, upon which nothing can improve. In point of permanent utility an instrument so constructed far excels the Aneroid barom- eter, the invention during the year 1848 of an ingenious French- man, Mr. Vidi, because its construction is based upon one of the immutable laws of nature. So constructed, it is in reality, if I be permitted so to speak, a balance or pair of scales, of the most delicate nature, in which a colunm of atmospheric air of the height of about 45 miles, sustains a column of mercury of its own diam- eter at the base of about 28^ inches in height, the minutest vari- ations in the height of the one column producing corresponding variations in that of the other, which by a properly adjusted ap- paratus — by no means necessary for the ordinary purposes of life — may be read to the thousandth part of an inch. Such minute- ness is, however, as I have remarked, not needed for the ordinary purposes of life, although for scientific purposes it is imperative ; but whatever additions to the instrument have been made for purposes of science, in all the instruments, no matter where they may have been manufactured, the principle before alluded to, has never for one moment been lost sight of, nor could it without nullifying the instrument. As regards the theory of the barometer we may make the fol- lowing observations ; that as the column of mercury exactly countorbulances the colunm of atmospheric air of its own diameter at the base, so any causes which disturb the height of that column of air, or add to its own specific weight, must necessarily produce a corresponding alteration in the height of the mercurial column ; and experience has amply confirmed what theory would lead us to expect on this point. High winds, therefore, materially aflPect its altitude, but especially does the absorption of moisture, or the vapour of water. Water, except in extremely wet weather, is 6 i.-f V; ■ *■■:■ continually evaporating from the surface of the earth, and becomes absorbed, so to speak, by the atmosphere, with which it combines mechanically, and in an invisible form. So long as this state of invisibility of the vapour in the atmosphere is continued, the spe- cific weight or gravity of the atmosphere continues to increase, and at no time does the mercurial column stand higher, than in what is technically called " fine dry weather ;" but as it is well known, that nothing is required to convert this invisible vapour into a visible and substantial form, that of water, than a reduction of temperature, so, in the upper regions of the atmosphere, those portions of it charged with an undue amount of vapour meeting colder strata, have that excess of vapour at once converted into little globules or films of water, which coalescing form the clouds which eventually drop their contents in the form of rain, snow or hail, in accordance with the temperature nearer the surface of the earth. It would thus appear that we may have two opposite at- mospheric conditions, one which renders the vapour of water in- visible, or what may be called an absorbing atmosphere, and another which renders that vapour visible, or what may be called a condensing one, and it is these two conditions which the bar- ometer indicates with such prophetic exactitude, under the former condition the mercurial column usually rising, and under the latter, falling. Some few facts in regai'd to the barometer deserve to be men- tioned. Barometers as usually sold have the words Fair, llain, Stormy, &c., placed on the scales of the instruments. Trusting to these signs the observer would be deceived. It is the steady observance of the elevation and depression of the column over a given height which constitutes its excellence. Changes in its height indicate changes in atmospheric density, and conset{uently in the weather — present rather than prospective. Any sudden change indicates an approaching variation of the weather, though one of short continuance ; a gradual change indicates the same but of longer duration. A rapid depression is most commonly followed and speedily too, by a tempest, whoso fury may be spent at the place of observation, or at the distance of some miles from it. What more beautiful exposition of the value of the readings of this instriuuent when made by an attentive and watchful eye, 1 than the warning of Admiral Fitzroy, last winter, to mariners Bailing from the chief western ports of England. The predicted and forewarned hurricane came on with all its fearfully-told tale of disasters, which would have been most awfully augmented, had not many commanders of vessels, who did not lay claim to the same amount of wisdom as their neighbours, listened to the still small voice of " caution." The delay in the day of sailing from the port of Liverpool alone, in this instance, saved thousands, perhaps millions of pounds worth of property. It is a singular fact that with reference to storms and their usually dreaded effects, we have the most benefit from the barometer when it is most required. It is exactly at those times, when everything around bespeaks the continuance of fine weather, when the sky is cloudless, and the air disturbed but by the mildest zephyrs, that this valuable instrument raises, to use a metaphor, its finger in warning attitude. Let us suppose the husbandman ready to reap his fields of " bending corn," and rejoicing in the abundance of the harvest with which an Almighty Father had blessed his toil. The reaping and stack- ing, &c., of the cereals is an operation requiring the labour of several days, and for its success a continuance of the finest weath- er. The intelligent farmer, who has been carefully reading and watching the indications of his barometer, has observed for a day or two, a trifling but nevertheless steady fall in the height of the mercurial column. He postpones his intended field-work. With- in a period of time varying from 24 to 48 hours most usually after the phenomena before observed had been witnessed, a fearful storm, partaking possibly of the character of a hurricame may have passed over the land, — but his stock has been saved because still standing. In fact there is such constancy in the indications of this instrument, that to the agriculturist we regard it almost as invaluable as his spade or plough. We know no class of society to which the indications of any instrument are of such supreme im- portance as are those of the barometer to the farmer, and all that surprises us is, that these instruments are not more commonly employed by them, as the guide to their out- door or field-work when gathering in their crops. Were it more generally used, there cannot be the least doubt, that the crop on many a fine field of wheat would have been saved from destruction or damage by its subsequent exposure to wet or damp. W'-ti" 8 A few remarks in regard to the general indications of the barometer will conclude these observations on the utility of it. The rising of the mercury generally indicates fair as its descent foretells rainy weather. If the barometer be high in winter, frost may be expected ; and if during frost it rises, snow will follow ; if it falls, there will be a thaw. If it falls rapidly in hot weather, thunder is foreboded. Rapid fluctuations indicate unsettled weather. In Montreal the barometer commonly rises with a West and North wind, and sinks with an Easterly or South- erly one. There may be a difference on this point in the more Westerly places of the Province. The barometer oscillates most in variable winds from a very obvious cause, and this has been main- ly observed about the equinoxes. It is more stationary in summer than in winter, and has been observed to have periodical daily tides. If the sky is clouded and the barometer low, showers will fall ; if overcast, and the mercury high, it will not rain. Anoma- lous descents not attended or followed by corresponding atmos- pheric mutations result generally from distant contemporaneous storms. With these general remarks on the value of the indica- tions of the barometer, we cannot do better than conclude with giving the following rules for observing this instrument as taken from Prof. Silliman's lectures. 1. The sudden fall of the mercury is usually followed by high winds and storms. 2. The rising of the mercury indicates generally the approach of fair weather ; the falling shows the approach of foul. 3. In sultry weather the fulling of the mercury indicates com- ing thunder. In winter a rise indicates frost. In frosty weather a fall indicates thaw : a rise, snow. 4. Whatever change of weather follows a sudden change in the barometer, may be expected to last but a short time, 5. When the barometer alters slowly, a long continuation of foul weather will succeed if the column falls, or of fair weather if the column rises. 6. A fluctuating and uncertain state of the barometer indicates changeable weather. EECOMMENDATIONS. From Charles Smallwood, M.D., LL.D. OBSKnVATORY, ISLB JeSUS, C. E., 20th July, 18G1. Sin, — T have carefully examined the construction of the two Mercurial Barometers you left with me, and can testify to the purity of the mercury and the efficient manner in which the tubes are filled, two most important points in the making of Barometers. The adoption of the Stop-cock to cut off the column of mercury, furnishes a ready and safe means of transport, which is not to be found in any of the Mercurial Barometers now made. The attached Thermometer is graduated to suit our climate, and will be found useful as an indicator of tiie temperature. I have also compared their readings witli the Stutiftard Barometer, and have found tliem to coincide to a great nicety with the standard instrument. 1 can witli confidence recommend them to any person engaged in i>ur- .«uits where the changes i*" weather may be of cunscci'aence ; to Farmers, .Schools and Colleges, an instrument of the kind is indispensable, and the low price at wliicii you furnish tliem must bean inducement to place tliem in the hands of all such parties. .\s an indicator of the cliangos in the weather tlie Mercurial Barometer is regarded as the best and modt reliable instrument. CHARLES SMALLWOi,>D. Mr. J. Wescott, Montreal. ^' ': *>o I I t EECOMMENDATIONS. From Archibald Hall, M. D., Monlrml. MoNTREAi,, June 29, 18G1. My Dear Sir, — You have exhibited to me, and permitted rao to exa- mine and compare with ray standard liarometer constructed n])on Barrow's Englisii Patent, a barometer manufactured hy yourself in this city. After a great many observations of its working, I have only to observe that it has proved itself faultless in its indications^ and it may therefore be considered as a perfectly trustworthy instrument in every respect. The simplicity of its construction, its portability, or rather the means by which it is rendered so, in this respect far surpassing all the baro- meters which I have yet seen, and the cheapness of its price, all highly recommend it to general favour. The indications of this truly useful instrument should be the guide to the out-door operations of every agriculturist, as it enables him by a very little observation of its movements to foretell the approach of weather unfavourable to his field-work, and the price demanded for it must unquestionably place it within the reach of every one engaged in such pursuits. It is indeed rather a matter of surprise to me that such an instrument is not in general use among our pojmlation of that class, but probably the price hitherto demanded for reliable instruments of this kind may luive precluded their purchase generally, as none but the more aniuenl in their circumstances could command them. The prices afTi.xed to your instruments, however, are such as to i)lace them witiiin tiie reaeii of every farmer, however limited in means he may be, and if he would only attend to tlie alti rnations in the height of the column, ns spccitied in the pampidet which you gave me, and which f under- stand accompanies the instrument, there cannot be the least doubt that the trilling outlay in its purchase would be more than abundantly re- turned in the saving of his crops which would become necessarily ellect- cd tiiroMgh its timely warnings. I cannot regard your sojourn amniig us for the purpose of manufac- turing tiiese i^strunlenl:^, in any dlln'r light than as an accpiisition to the I'roviiH'c, ami I do trust that while it will not prove unproiluetive of bi'uelit to yourself individually, vou may be the means of benefiting most materially our agricultural interests. I remain, Yours very faithfully, A. HALL. Mr. J. Wiscott, Ac, A( 10 Extract of a letter from Henry Wai;d Beechbb. While visiting in tlie countrj', and publislicd in tlie New York Independent, It is five o'clock. ♦ * * * A Imndred birds, yes, five hundred, are singing as birds never sing except in the morning. A fewcliimneyg send up ii slow wreathing column of sniolve, which grows every moment paler as the kindled fires below burn brighter. • » • » The clouds hang low on the mountain on every side. Their ragged edges comb the mountain side, and look as if tliey must sway the trees in tlieir course. Yet liiey move with such soft and drowsy measure that not a leaf stirs. ^Vill there be rain to-day? The heavens overhead look like it. The clouds around the mountain hang low as if there were rain coming. But the Barometer says, No. Then a few rounds with the scythe before breakfast. * * We must niaiie liaj- while the sun sliines. * * The day passes and the nigiit. With another morning, and tliat Saturday morning, comes up the sun without a single cloud to wipe his face upon. Tho air is clear and crystal — no mist is on the river, no fleece upon the mountain, yet the barometer is sinking and has been sinking all night. It has fallen more than a quarter of an inch, and continues slowly to x"all. Our plans must be laid accordingly. We will cut tiie clover which is to be cured in tiie cock, and prepare tu get in all of yesterday's mowing before two o'clock. Not till about ten o'clock is any change seen. Then the sun's light seems I'ale, and, although no cloud is before it, some invisible vapor has strut k thiougii the atmosphere. Hy-and-bv tiie clouds begin to form, louse, vast, cumbrous, tliat slowly roil and change their unwieldy sluipes, and take on every sli.ade of color that lies between the darkest leaden-gray and ttie most brilliant silver gray. While catching our hasty meal, affairs grow critical. The sun is hid- den. The noun is dark. All liiuius are summoned. ♦ ♦ • All the girls and ladies come forth to tlie fray. Delicate hands are making lively work, raking up tlie dispersed grass and tiylng witli right nimble steps here and there, bent on cheating tlie rain of its expected pn'V ; and now the long winnows are formed. The last load of hay from the other fields has just rolled triumphantly into the barn. • • * A drop pats down on my face, another and another. Look at those base- less mountains that tower in the west, blacli as ink at the bottom, glowing like snow at the top edge — what gigantic evolutions 1 They open, unfold, change form, Hash lightning through their space, clo,se up their black gulfs, and move on with irresistible but siliMit marcli through the heated air. Tar in the north tiie rain has begun to sheet down upon old (iray-Lock! But the sun is shining through the shower, and changing it to a golden atinosi)liere, in which the mountiiin lifts up his head like a glorified martyr amid his persecutions! only one look can we spare, and all of us run for the house, and in gooil time. Pown comes the Hood, and »'very drop is musical. We pity liie neighbors, who, not warnecl by the barometer, are racing and chasing to save their outlaying crops. \ From FuoF. Silliman. The fall of mercury warns the mariner to put his ship in trim for a s1(M'm, and conveys the same kind ot information to a farmer ; and en- ables him seasonably to provide for untavorable changes in the weather, by bousing his auiumla and protecting bid crop. 11 The late Dr. Dick, LL.D., Christian Philosopher, SfC, ^c.,says: — By the use of the barometer, the farmer is warned of approaching storma, and thereby enabled to protect his produce from danger. From Prof. Joseph Henry, Smithsonian Inst., Washington. In relation to barometers, to practical farmers, they serve to warn the farmer to make preparations for the weather, which might be inju- rious to his crops or stock. Extract of a letter from Hon. Simon Rrown, Editor of the New England Farmer, Feb. 25th, 1S60. A FARMER'S BAROMETER. As great as the value of the barometer is acknowledged to be to the navigator, a little reflection and invpstigation will satisfy many that its common use will be of scarcely less importance to the tiller of the soil. Let us bring to our aid, for a moment, the omnipotence of figures, and see what revelations they will unfold. The United States Census of 1850, gives the valuatiou of the agricultural products of the country, (but only including that portion of the crop which is easily damaged by getting wet wiiile being harvested,) at more than nine hundred and fifty millions of dollurs ! It is supposed t(i be a fair estimate, by good judges, that there is an average loss of five, per ceut. on all the crops liarvested in the country, because most crops that are injured by storms or by a succession of damp and cloudy days, are injured much more than five per cent., so that the average on the whole may be fairly set down at that sum. If the value of the baroiiieter, in the hands of observing and intelligent farmers is not over-estimated by the most scientific men of this and other countries — .-snch men as Dr. Arnot, Prof. Silliman, Db. Dick, Pkof. Hknrv, Prof. Mauky, and others— it is fair to sup- pose that a large proportion of this loss might be prevented, and thus, 11 gain nuule to the farming community of about fifhj millions of dollars annuiilly! Another item worthy of consideration is, the increased cost of liarvi'sting a damaged crop. " If by the general use of the barometer this could be prevented, another sum of startling magnitude in the ag- gregate might be saved. The little, unpretending barometer, hanging in the saloon of one of our si>l(Mid".(l ocean steamers, warns the watchful pilot of an approach of an impt.'udiiig iceberg, even amid the gloom of the darkest night! ^Vily may not its admonitions be of equal value to as much property exposed "to the elements on the laud, and teacli us to shun the losses which annually depreciate the profits of the farm?