Chapter 19
Section 19 of 1000 Things Worth Knowing. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Amelia Chesley.
1000 Things Worth Knowing by Nathaniel C. Fowler Jr. First transatlantic steamship. The Savannah, a vessel of only 350 tons and measuring 100 feet, was the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean. She was launched in New York in 1818.
She was propelled with paddles and ship rigged. She crossed the Atlantic in 26 days, her engine being used only 16 days, the rest of the time she was under sail. Flower industry. There are nearly 12,000 flower mills in the United States,
requiring a capital of about $350 million. These mills use nearly $770 million worth of material a year and pay salaries and wages of about $35 million. The annual market value of the flower milled annually is nearly $900 million. Food nutriment.
On a basis of 1000 parts, the nutriment value of foods may be listed as follows. Cucumber 25. Melons 30. Turnips 42. Milk 72.
Cabbage 73. Carrots 98. White of egg 140. Pears 160. Apples 170.
Haddock 180. Gooseberries 190. Peaches 200. Codfish 210. Pork 240.
Cherries 250. Veal 250. Beef 260. Potatoes 260. Apricots 260.
Grapes 270. Chicken 270. Plums 290. Mutton 290. Oats 742.
Rye 792. Rice 880. Barley 920. Wheat 950. Forests.
About one quarter of the United States is covered with forests, with a total acreage of about $550 million, about one-fifth of which are owned by the government. At the present rate of cutting and the forest fires, the forests are decreasing at a very alarming rate,
and a lumber famine is to be expected within the next century if the lands are not properly reforested. Foretelling the weather. Several years ago, the United States government established a weather bureau and placed it in charge of scientific men and observers who were expert in this direction.
Weather bureau stations are maintained throughout the United States, and each station communicates daily with the head office at Washington. By following the law of averages, by the use of the barometer and other instruments, by scientific research and experiment, and because of the receipt of hourly or daily reports,
the weather bureau experts are able to foretell the weather with a considerable degree of accuracy. Practically all of the great storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes are announced in advance. While this science is still in its infancy, it has made rapid strides, and each year shows much improvement in the result. There are a few simple rules which may be used for foretelling the weather
if one possesses a barometer. The rapid rise of the barometer indicates unsettled weather. The gradual rise foretells settled weather. When the air is dry and cold, a rising barometer indicates wind from the north, and if it has been raining, better weather may occur.
When the air is moist and at a low temperature, a rising barometer may foretell wind and rain from the north. When there is a northerly wind and the barometer falls rapidly, there is likely to be a storm with snow in winter and heavy rain or hail in summer. When the air is dry and the temperature is seasonable,
a steady barometer indicates a continuance of fine weather. A rapidly falling barometer may foretell stormy weather. When the wind is westerly, a rapid fall may precede a storm coming from the north. When the wind is southerly, a rise in the barometer may precede fine weather. When there is much moisture in the air and considerable heat,
a falling barometer may indicate that a wind and rainstorm is coming from the south. When the air is dry and cold in winter, a falling barometer may indicate snow. When the weather is calm and warm, a falling barometer may be taken to mean rain or squally weather. End of section 19.
