342 



Iowa and Wisconsin there was an excess, nearly double the usual 

 amount. The States where severe droughts prevailed during this month 

 were Michigan, eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania and Xew York. 

 As will be seen by the table above, the mean temperature of the month 

 was considerably below that of June, and the maximum (90 deg.) was 

 reached in but a single instance. 



August was the warmest month of the season, and the moist atmos- 

 phere which prevailed, rendered the weather very oppressive. On the 

 early days of the month, the rains were abundant in some parts of this 

 State, and did much in dispelling the effects of the previous drouth. 

 The excessive precipitation and humidity of the atmosphere which pre- 

 vailed in parts of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and par- 

 ticularly at New Orleans, being everywhere attended and followed by 

 high temperature was quite unequalled, and in many places very de- 

 structive to life. In portions of the States above named, the rains were 

 nearly beyond precedent, from four to eight inches falling in ten hours. 

 During the last half of the month but little rains fell at this place, and 

 the temperature declined. A heavy storm occurred on the 30th. The 

 early days of September were warm, with a most sultry atmosphere. 

 The amount of rain for this month was small however, especially during 

 the latter part. 



October continued very dry — no appreciable amount of rain falling 

 here until the 2 2d. Between 20th September, and 2 2d October, the 

 rain at this place did not exceed 1-100 of an inch. For November, how- 

 ever, the quantity of rain was unusually large, and much above the 

 maximum for the previous four years. The greater part of the month 

 was, moreover, very pleasant and mild. 



The temperature of December was, up to the lYth, much above the 

 normal mean, and after that date quite steady and winter-like — the 

 maximum rising above 32 deg., on but three days. About eighteen 

 inches snow fell during the month ; the quantity of rain was not appre- 

 ciable. 



In conclusion, it may be observed that the extremes of temperature 

 *nd precipitation, as well as drouth, have been exhibited to an unusu- 

 al degree in different parts of our country, during the summer of 1852. 

 In many instances, the effect of extreme climatic conditions on agricul- 

 ture and the general health, has been strikingly exemplified. The 



