THE SEASONS IN MAINE 



NOTES ON THE SEASONS IN MAINE. 



BY \VM. AVILLIS, PORTLAND, ME. 



Mr. Downing — You have desired information respecting the effects of the late severe 

 winter upon various orders of vegetation in different parts of the country, and as I think 

 the suggestion a most valuable one, I send you a contribution touching our locality. 



Portland is in north latitude 43°, 39', 52"; west longitude 70*, 13' 34", and 542 miles 

 north-east from Washington. The last winter was one of the most severe "we have had 

 for many years; in December the mercury in Fahrenheit's thermometer fell on the 10th 

 to 10* below zero, and averaged for the month from 10* below to 40 above zero, and on 

 five different days it fell below zero, viz: on the first to 6* below — 2d, 1* — 10th, 10* — 

 11th 6* — 14th, 3*. The average temperature was nine degrees colder than in December, 

 1850, and the coldest month for the last 31 years, except that in 1831 and in 1835. In Janu- 

 ary the mercury fell below zero on six different days, viz : on the 16th, 10* — 17th, 1* — 18th, 

 4°— 19th, 4°— 20th, 16*— 22d, 7*. The average temperature for the month was 174*, 

 being two degrees colder than the average for the last 37 years. In February the mercu- 

 ry fell below zero on three different days, viz: on the 19th, to 8* — 20th, 7° — 21st, 3*, the 

 average temperature for the month being 23 degrees, by three observations a day, and two 

 degrees warmer than the general average for the last 32 years; the range being from 8* 

 below, to 42° above zero. The average for the three winter months was 19"*, being three 

 degrees colder than the general average for the last 32 years, and as cold as any winter 

 since 1820. The thermometer was noted at sunrise, noon, and 8 P. M. During the last 

 37 years, the lowest points in the months of January, at which it has been registered at 

 this place, are as follows, viz : 



For every one of the 37 years, the mercury in January fell below zero, varying from 

 one to eighteen degrees, except the years 1825 and 1841. 



Under the influence of this severe winter, which lingered far into the lap of spring, and 

 from the sad forebodings expressed in various quarters, we had reason to expect a desolate 

 account from our shrubs and fruit trees; but to our agreeable surprise, all our fruit trees, 

 earlier than usual, began to exhibit signs of vitality, and are now covered with bloom. I 

 have now on my grounds in full blossom, of Pears, the Bartlett, the good Louise of Jer- 

 sey, the Vicar of Winkfield, the Melting Autumn, (^Fondante d'Automne,') Duchess of 

 Angouleme, Summer Dean, (Doyenne d'Ete,) &c.; of Cherries, the Flesh Colored Bigar- 

 reau, the Honey, and several of the hearts; of Plums, Smith's Orleans, Prince's Gage, 

 Green Gage, and several others; they promise fine crops — never looked better, and are a 

 few days earlier than the usual time for blossoming. Of a dozen budded French roses, 

 imported last spring, including the Giant of Battles, Persian Yellow, and several mosses, 

 I did not lose one, although they were not protected, except by a thick covering of coarse 

 manure about their roots; a fine Isabella grape, and several Sweet Water's against a brick 

 wall, with no other covering than this manure about the roots, bore the season remarka- 

 bly well, and are now starting out strongly, and hi good health, and with a prospect of 

 the usual crop. I never lay down or cover my grape-vines, and have never experienced 

 any inconvenience or loss from this neglect, the vines usually bearing well, being trained 



