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Automated Analysis of Charts From Continuously Recording Weather Instruments. R. C. Seem, Department of Plant Pathology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456; M. C. Blume(2), and J. Barnard(3). (2)Department of Plant Pathology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456; (3)Department of Computer Services, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456. Phytopathology 69:1103-1105. Accepted for publication 12 April 1979. Copyright 1979 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-69-1103.

A graphics digitizer linked to a computer can be used to transcribe data rapidly from recording instruments such as hygrothermographs with rectangular charts or leaf wetness recorders with circular charts. Equations are presented that correct digitized data for circular charts, pen arm curvature, and clocking errors. The techniques described can be adapted to nearly any type of rectangular or circular chart and require less than one-tenth the time required to transcribe and code the same data manually. Digitizer accuracy is well within error range normally associated with devices such as hygrothermographs.