WEATHER FORECASTS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 20 December 1930, Page 7

WEATHER FORECASTS

INFORMATION FOR FARMERS. “It is well said that our climate is our greatest asset, and this is because of its equable nature, and because of the great assistance it renders our most important industry—farming,’ ’ said the Minister of Agriculture recently. “If such a feature alone justifies* its study. No man scans the sky more kecnlv than the farmer, and a moment’s thought shows he lias every justification for such action. The weather exercises a control on all farm operations. Tt controls crop yields and pasture growth, and the farmer who can adjust his year’s programme to take advantage of ail the assistance he can desire from co-operation with the weather changes, will be fortunate. Yet this is a result that must he aimed at, through the wider knowledge which meteorology will make available. We are situated in latitudes where changes ip weather come extremely quickly, and it is necessary. therefore, for the weather-wise to ham knowledge of a wider scope than that presented by the heavens in sight. The Meteorological Office compiles its records from a wide area, and provides that knowledge.’’ “The forecasting of the weather was developed in the first place to meet tli- needs of shinning, and that is s+ill one the niost inmortnat services to which it caters. But. the forecast is being made increasing use of in ord'ina>'v avocations, while # to the man on the land new applications are continually being found. Perhaps the

most valuable service given by our weather forecasters is to sheep farmi ers at shearing time, when heavy losses may be entailed through exposing newly-born sheep to cold and wet in open paddocks. At lambing and harvest times, also, much use can be made of an accurate forecast, especially when, as now, it can be made promptly available, through the medium of wireless telegraphy in the farmer’s own home/’