227 



unpleasant, Avitli prevailing north and west wind. The mean temperature was 

 nearly four degrees below the average of the last six years. 



Manitowoc, Wisconsin. — March 15. — First steamboat from Milwaukee; ground 

 frozen three feet deep. 



Beloit, Wisco7isin. — March 20. — Heavy shower and thunde^'-storm from the 

 southeast ; the first thunder of the year ; ground supposed to be frozen three or 

 four feet. 



Waupacca, Wisconsin. — March 19. — A very severe storm commenced in the 

 night ; strong wind from the northeast, almost a gale, accompanied by hail and 

 snow. 20th, at noon a real summer thunder shower with hail and snow for 

 rain ; sharp lightning and heavy thunder rolling and rumbling from southwest 

 to northeast, continuing more than an hour; three inches of snow fell during 

 the day ; thermometer at 7 a. m. 10'^ ; at 2 p. m. 16° ; at 9 p. m. 12° 



Embarrass, Wisconsin. — March 20. — Snow and hail storms to-day, with 

 heavy thunder and sharp lightning from 11 a. m. to 1 p m. The storm came 

 from east. 31st, sleighing has been first rate nearly all the month and lumber- 

 men have done well. 



Weyauwega, Wisconsin. — March 20. — At 6.30 this morning snow com- 

 menced falling, shortly after it became sleet ; snow mixed with sleet has fallen 

 all day and still continued at 9 p. m. No rain has fallen ; more than half a 

 dozen loud claps of thnnder were heard in the middle of the day, snow ftxlling 

 at the same time ; several Very bright flashes of lightning were also seen ; the 

 wind which has been east and northeast is now north ; thermometer at 7 a. m. 

 9° ; at 2 p. m. 12° ; at 9 p. m. 9° 



Afton, Minnesota. — March 31. — Ground covered with snow and but little or 

 no frost in the ground. 



St. Paul, Minnesota. — March 31. — Depth of ground frozen during the winter 

 unusually slight by reason of the early fall of snow in December ranging from 

 three to six inches ; the Mississippi not yet open. 



Muscatine, Iowa. — March 7. — Ice iu the Mississippi started and run one 

 hundred yards. 9th, ice run out to-day. 11th, blue birds made their appear- 

 ance ; steamer Resolute passed up the river; came down on the 12th. 20th, 

 hail an inch in diameter fell to-day. 31st, snow melted ofi", having laid five 

 days ; the season is very backward ; no spring wheat sown yet. 



Iowa City, Iowa. — March 20. — Rain and hail storm with thunder and light- 

 ning from 3 a. m. to 6 a. m. Hail as large as cherries ; storm spent here 

 and terminated a mile south, but extended north to the Minnesota line; hail- 

 stones larger all the way. 24th, Iowa river full of ice. 



^ Dubuque, Iowa. — March 20. — Distant thunder at 1.30 a. m. At 5 a. m. 

 severe hail-storm and much lightning and rain, which coated the ground and 

 trees with about one-third of an inch of solid ice ; east wind and slight mist all 

 day ; in the evening a slight snow. 30th, wild geese flying north. 

 , Davenport, loxca. — March 5. — Mississippi river commenced breaking ; the 

 ice moved down a quarter of a mile and there remained. 7th, bluebirds sing- 

 ing. 11th, ice moved again but the channel is not clear ; the river is open a 

 mile below the city. 20th, a terrific storm passed over about 1 a. m. ; hail, sleet, 

 and rain ; hail quite large ; the windows were broken in some parts of the city ; 

 lightning and thunder vivid and loud ; a barn was struck by lightning, mak- 

 ing a large fire ; the storm came from .the northeast. 22d, robins singing ; 

 wild geese flying north. 24th, channel of the river free from ice ; boats running. 



Clinton, Iowa. — March 31. — The month has been cold and backward, with 

 much stormy, cloudy weather; very many sudden changes. The ground is still 

 frozen three feet deep. Snow on the ground half the month. Ice went out last 

 night; boat went through the bridge the first time. Ice in the river later than 

 it has been for five years. 



Lyons, Iowa. — March 1. — Bluebirds first noticed to-day. 19th, rain, hail 

 5 A 



