On the MeatiJ of foretelling the CharaSlef «f the Sumtiur Seofm. t jj 



II. 



On the Means of foretelling the ChnraEler of the Summer Sea/on, and the Benefits to he expected 

 from the Cultivation of Grajfes which vegetate at low Temperatures. In a Letter from Dr. 

 Tao. Beddoes. 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 



SIR, 



M. 



.ANY years ago it occurred to me, that the general nature of our fummers might be 

 anticipated in the fpring, and fometimes in winter. I have frequently hazarded a predic- 

 tion, and I begin to acquire fome confidence in my rule. 



It is founded on the efFedl of melting fubftances, particularly fnow, upon temperature. 

 In applying this fa£t to meteorology, I fay, if there be an unufual falloffnoiu in the countries 

 to the N. and N, E. our fummer, cseteris paribus, ivill be cold and ivet. In the winter of 

 1 798 and 1799, I obferved in the public papers frequent mention of immenfc falls of fnow 

 in thefe hyperborean regions ; and you know what our fummer was. From the beft in- 

 formation I could procure, I colle£ted the contrary during the two laft winters ; and I 

 prophefied accordingly. 



I do not take the wotA fummer in the drift aftronomical fenfe, other wife it would be too 

 foon to talk of that of 1801 ; and ftill the approaching feafon may feem to put my fyftcm 

 to {hame. But obferve. Sir, that I do not pretend to be acquainted with all the different 

 caufes of atmofpherical refrigeration ; and I only point out one, the moft decifive perhaps 

 that exifts, but ftill capable of counteradtion, and for which there may be a fubftitute 

 when it is not prefent. 



Some of your readers may perhaps think of trying what I advance by a reference to me- 

 teorological tables; But you will remark, that they do not fupply the requifite data. This 

 is at leaft the cafe with thofe to which it is in my power to have accefs ; and I wifli any 

 hint from me may occafion a faft fo eflential to us, to be annually afcertained as far as it 

 can be done with accuracy. The fnow that may fall in England is of fmall account ; though 

 I fuppofe an unufual fall here may often accompany an unufual fall in the countries from 

 Jutland to Tobolfk. . 



I fliall now trouble you with another winter fpeculation, that may lead to experiments 

 in future Ijeneficial. In mild winters there can, I fuppofe, be no doubt of the vegetation 

 of the graffes. It has often appeared to me, that it goes on unequally in diiFcrent grafles ; 

 and I believe I could name fome which grow at a tenoperature not greatly exceeding 40", 

 However, I fliall content myfclf with propofing it to perfons of more leifur^ to afcertain 

 by aclual weight and meafure, what is the confiitution of the different individuals of this family 



S 2 with 



