the Cowgate of Edinburgh, the changes of temperature were observed once every month during the year 1794, and the tem

From these experiments it will be observed that the greatest heat and cold took place in September and March, or about three months later than the greatest at the surface; hence it may be inferred, that at some greater depth no change of temperature takes place. The mean temperature given by this observation is above that of Edinburgh. This may be accounted. for from the low situation of the well, and also from its being under a building.

We have before us a very curious set of experiments made by Mr Jardine at Loch Katrin in 1814, showing the temperature at different depths. At every five fathoms the temperature was observed as far as eighty-six fathoms, and it appears to change most rapidly between five and fifteen fathoms. After this the change is more slow and regular, till we come to about forty fathoms, where the same temperature continues downwards. This must be nearly the point where the temperature of the atmosphere produces no change.

The thermometer is of much use in agriculture for ascertaining the state of manure, as indicated by its temperature, and also for finding when a stack of grain is in bad order, by the process of fermentation having begun. This knowledge is often of great importance when the grain has been put up in a bad season, when it was impossible to lead it home quite dry. The common practice of using the hand to feel if a stick that has remained for some time in the stack be of a higher temperature than the air, is a very imperfect method; as the hand in a great measure feels only the difference of temperature between itself and the body to which it is applied, and small differences cannot be detected; whereas were a thermometer used, the commencement of heating might be detected, and thereby great loss avoided. The thermo

meter to be used for this purpose is placed in a glass case, protected by a metal covering. The bulb is placed in the centre of a pointed metal-shod at the end of the tube filled with any bad conducting substance, so that it may change slowly and keep the temperature given it for a short time. When used, it is screwed on the point of a stick, and pushed into any dunghil or stack, and being allowed to remain for two or three minutes, it is withdrawn and the temperature observed.

The state of the atmosphere with regard to its moisture comes next to be considered, and though of great importance, the difficulty of determining its quantities, has caused it to be much ne glected. As yet no instrument has been contrived by which the quantity can be stated from inspection without the use of tables, and having a fixed and unchangeable scale. Among the various constructions of hygrometers, that by Professor Leslie is the best, and most easily used. Another construction is the dew-point instrument, where a deposition of dew is observed on a bright surface, cooled by evaporation. But as the various tables required for deducing the state of humidity in the atmo sphere would extend this article beyond its proper limits, we refer those who may desire a particular description of the instruments, and explanation of the methods of using them, to the Supplement to the Encyclopædia Britannica, article Meteorology, Dalton's Tables, Daniel's Meteorological Essays, and the Edinburgh Journal of Science for 1828.

The quantity of rain that falls in this country materially affects the productiveness of the soil, the quantity in different places being very various, from difference of situation, and local causes. Near the foot of high hills a greater quantity commonly falls than over a level country; the currents of the atmosphere in their course meeting with a hill, are so changed, that a deposition in showers very frequently follows. The quantity that falls, and the manner in which it falls, are the circumstances to be attended to. A great number of wet days are more injurious to the soil, even where the quantity is not great, than great falls at distant intervals of time; the ground, in the first case, being constantly over wetted, its productiveness is much injured; in the other, the superfluous moisture being soon drained off, only the portion necessary for the nourishment of plants is

left, which is gradually given out in dry weather, during which the ground for a time is in its most productive state. The raingauge is the instrument used for measuring the quantity that falls. The simplest form of that instrument is a funnel, with a cylindrical mouth, 3 or 4 inches high, and having an area of 100 square inches, made of tinned iron or thin copper. It may be placed in the mouth of a large bottle, for receiving the water, and, after each fall, the quantity is measured by a glass-jar, divided into inches and parts. A more elegant arrangement of the instrument is formed by placing the funnel at the top of a brass cylindrical tube, having at one side a glass tube, communicating with it at the under part, with a divided scale placed along-side of it. The area of the mouth is to that of the under tubes as 10 to 1; consequently, 1 inch deep of rain falling into the mouth will measure 10 inches in the tubes, and 1 inch upon the scale will be equal to a fall of one-tenth; which quantities are marked upon the scale, and the water is let off by a stop-cock below. The instrument should be placed in an exposed situation, at a distance from all buildings and trees, and as near the surface of the ground as possible. The average quantity of rain that falls in the vicinity of Edinburgh is 25 inches yearly; the wettest years exceeding 36 inches, and the driest under 18. In cases of snow storms, the rain-gauge may not give the correct quantity, as a part may be blown out, or a greater quantity fall than the mouth will contain. In such cases, the method of knowing the quantity of water is, to take any cylindrical vessel, such as a case for containing maps, which will answer the purpose very well; by pressing it perpendicularly into the snow it will bring out with it a cylinder equal to the depth. This, when melted, will give the quantity of water by measurement. The proportion of snow to water is about 17 to 1, and hail to water as 8 to 1. These quantities, however, are not constant, but depend upon the circumstances under which the snow or hail have fallen, and the time they have been upon the ground.

Having now given a description of the most important instruments to be used in observing the changes of the atmosphere, and the methods of applying them, we shall conclude by giving a sketch of the advantages to be derived from observing them, and registering the changes that take place.

It has been attempted to predict the changes that will take place during a season, from calculations said to be founded upon observations. But as we are not favoured with the observations upon which such assertions are founded, they can only be judged of by their agreement with what actually takes place. Of this every one has it in his power to judge; but we are of opinion that such predictions are beyond our reach, particularly in this climate, where the changes are so sudden and various. It is only from the state of the instruments at the time of observation that we are entitled to conclude that a continuance or change of the weather may follow. Neither can we form any just estimate of this from one observation: it is only continued attention to the changes that will enable the observer to form any just estimation of what may be expected. The labour attending this is very trifling, and it will be found from such attention that advantages may be derived in conducting agricultural operations.

A regularly kept register of the state of the weather must form a very useful and interesting record of the changes that take place at great distances of time, and will also give the observer a great facility in judging of the weather. It appears now well ascertained, that modern Europe has a higher mean temperature than it had in former ages. This arises from the advancement of cultivation and drainage of the land. Wet land will always have a lower temperature than that of a drier quality, from the constant evaporation at its surface. Good fencing also improves the temperature of the ground, by checking the free current of air over its surface. In a register the direction of the wind should be marked, and when rain falls, the direction from which it comes; all other phenomena should be noticed, as aurora-borealis, cloudy, clear, and foggy days. In 365 days, the wind generally blows between the direction of north to east 33 days, from east to south 82, from south to west 100, and from west to north 150. The greatest number of sunny days occur with winds between south and west; and the heaviest falls of rain take place with the wind from north to

east.

Such are a few of the facts to be derived from keeping a register; and we subjoin a form, which we consider convenient;

any part may be omitted where the instrument is not used, and two sets of thermometric observations may, in ordinary cases, be dispensed with.

(To the Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture.) In entering upon this difficult and complicated subject, which seems to have puzzled the wisest heads, both in the Courts of Law and in Parliament, we do not of course pretend to have any important discoveries to make known, any new lights to communicate, or any original and striking information to lay before the reader. So much indeed has already been said and written respecting it, that every thing necessary towards forming a sound judgment concerning the points at issue between the owners of stake-nets and the river-proprietors, has, in one shape or other, been brought out, in the course of the numerous discussions and investigations which have hitherto taken place; and little now remains, therefore, except to concentrate, as it were, into one focus, the various scattered lights which have been at different times struck out, and, amidst the multitude of