DOMESTIC NOTICES. 



at 9 P. M. 9" below, exposed, to the full 

 force of the wind. On the morning of the 31st 

 it was 9° below — at 9 A. M., at 4 below — at 

 3 P. M. 4° above 0. It is a very unusual cir- 

 cumstance, and one which I do not recollect to 

 have witnessed before, to experience a tempera- 

 ture below through the day, but here it ac- 

 tually continued for at least 36 hours. 



The storms of the month have been few and 

 comparatively light. On the 4th, snow fell to 

 the depth of four inches. On the 9th rain and 

 hail I inch. On the mornings of the 16th and 

 17th, fog rested on the hills and we had very 

 slight sprinklings of rain. The 20th brought a 

 slight fall of snow, and another the 22d. Snow 

 fell to the depth of 1^ inch on the 27th, and 

 the rain of the 29th, was two inches and the 

 snow that followed gave 3 inches. These were 

 all the storms of the month. There were three 

 days only of entire cloudiness — of entire clear- 

 ness none. In 12 1 observations the course of the 

 wind was northerly 64 — southerly 60. 



The general temperature of the month was 

 mild and agreeable, and until the sudden change 

 of the 29tli, was highly favorable for the fruit 

 buds of the peach, &.c. But when we saw the 

 mercury sink 46" in twenty-four hours we must 

 necessarily conclude that it is all over with them 

 for the present year. Such changes are far 

 more fatal in their effects than steady, uncom- 

 promising cold weather. This any individual 

 may see from his own liability to take severe 

 colds, contract lung-fevers and other diseases 

 incident to frequent and severe changes of tem- 

 perature. 



Such changes are greatly injurious to do- 

 mestic animals of all kinds and under the most 

 favorable circumstances, but they are most 

 keenly felt for those which are allowed to shift 

 for themselves in getting protection. How much 

 is suffered by animals and actually lost to farm- 

 ers by negligence in providing shelter cannot 

 be known. It is no doubt the case, however, 

 that diseases are often contracted by such ex- 

 posures which are not fully developed until the 

 warm season, and then are attributed to wrong 

 causes. It is certainly a wise policy for farmers 

 to provide good and comfortable shelters for 

 all their animals, and then see that they are 

 housed through the storms, let their mildness 

 promise ever so fovorably, for a righteous man 



will surely regard the comfort as well as the 

 life of his beast. Yours truly, W. Bacon. 



Random Notes. — I was much pleased with 

 the communication from your new correspond- 

 ent Mr. Fkench, and hope he may write often, 

 as it will add considerably to the interest of the 

 Horticulturist. Is there no way to induce 

 " Jeffries" to resume his pen? I feel quite 

 grieved at losing his pleasant criticisms, and 

 have no doubt it would be pleasant to a great 

 many to meet with them again. " W. H." 

 seems to be quite in despair about his plums as 

 well as myself, but I intend planting some 

 where the fowls will have free acess to them, 

 and see what that will do. I hope the 

 " Stowell" sweet corn will soon get far enough 

 south to reach us. It must be a very desirable 

 variety. 



Mrs. Bateham's remarks were well worth a 

 place in the Horticulturist, and it is to be hoped 

 they may do good. What a blessing it would 

 be to the country if we had many more of such 

 sensible women. I should like to see a piece 

 of poetry by Mary Howitt, "on the use of 

 flowers." in your columns, as it well deserves a 

 place, but do not like to send it without know- 

 ing whether it would be acceptable or not. 



AYe wish to plant two trees in front of our 

 house (a western exposure) that will soon make 

 a shade, and such as are not liable to be attack- 

 ed by insects. "Would not the sugar maple be 

 suitable? — [very suitable.] "We have a good 

 many fine roses in an ojjen space in front of our 

 dwelling, but they do not grow as I could 

 wish. What kind of manure had I better apply? 

 The soil is rather light, and I suppose not as rich 

 as it ought to be. [Well rotted stable manure 

 — bury it as deep as you can.] I have suc- 

 ceeded better in raising the Oleander, Azalea, 

 and Daphne from cuttings by placing them in 

 vials of rain water, excluding the air with raw 

 cotton, and keeping them in the window, than 

 in any other way ; of course we keep filling the 

 vial as it requires it — ^as soon as the roots are 

 half an inch long, plant them in light soil. I 

 frequently start roses in the same way. I have 

 planted a few cranberry vines which I intend 

 to keep wet by the waste water from the pump. 

 Think they will do well. [We fear not, unless 

 you keep the pump going.] A Con; 

 Reader. Maryland, Feb. 14, 1851, 



