22 



fell at this place but 77 liundredtlis of an incli of rain. On the 25th tlie drought 

 was broken by 65 hundredths of an inch ; since then no rain has Mien, and the 

 drought continues up to this, August 1. For some days previous to the 25th 

 the atmosphere was of a very hazy and smoky appearance. So severe a drought 

 has not prevailed here for the last seventeen years, and perhaps not for some 

 years previously. 



Pojnfrct, Connecticut. — July has been very dry ; the earth more parched, 

 and streams and springs loAver than at any period since 1852 ; yet Ave had 

 more rain from April 1 to July 11 than we had last year, but the air has been 

 dry and the per-centage of vapor much less. 



Jameatown, New York. — July 31. — This month has been the warmest, and 

 brought the severest drought known here for many years. 



Palermo, New York. — July 17. — Smoky atmosphere, vegetation suffers 

 dreadfully for rain; 2lst, very smoky, drought continues; 27th, smoky. 

 After a remarkably wet spring, we have had the driest summer within the 

 memory of the oldest inhabitant in this region. 



Palmyra, New York. — July 31. — Everything is suffering much from the 

 drought. A great amount of haze since the 21st, which some attribute to the 

 burning of wheat-fields, grass and wood, as it has been so dry that they have 

 taken lire accidentally. 



Nichols, New York. — July 31. — Susquehanna river and all small streams 

 lower than ever seen before. 



Progress, New Jerseij. — July 19 to 30. — Haze constant, and at times very 

 dense, so as to prevent observation on motion and forms of clouds, save on the 

 25th, frequently like thick smoke ; sun shining dimly through it. 



Had dov field, New Jersey. — July 21. — A heavy smoke around, supposed to 

 arise from extensive fires among the woods near the Atlantic railway. 22d, 23d, 

 24th, the same smoky haze prevailed; sky apparently clear of clouds, but 

 observed with difficulty through the smoke and haze. 



Neicark, Neiv Jersey. — In this region, for several days prior to the 25th, there 

 was a remarkable dense haze or smoke, which came to us Avith a northwest 

 wind, that increased the dryness of the atmosphere, and by frequently obscur- 

 ing the heavens gaA^e additional sombreness to the parched landscape. This 

 smoke Avas undoubtedly OAving to extensive conflagrations in the woods and 

 Avaste ground of central New York. From the 27tli of May to the 24th of July, 

 inclusi\'e, only two inches and forty-three hundredths of rain had fallen, and 

 although several other droughts of equal length haA^e been recorded by the 

 Avriter during the last twenty years, yet A'ery few have equalled that recently 

 experienced, in extent and severity combined, as it seems to haA-e pervaded the 

 entire belt of country north of the Ohio and eastward of the Rocky mountains. 



Canovshurg, Pennsylcania — July 15 to 24. — Smoky. 



Horeskam, Pennsylvania. — July :22. — There has been a singular state of the 

 atmosphere for several days past, no clouds, but apparently a thick haze, 

 through Avhicli the sun appears red, and Avithout rays, but still tlie weather is 

 unusually cool for the time of year, and very dry. 



Silrer Spring, Pennsylvania. — July 21 to 24. — Very thick haze. The sun 

 and moon appeared to hang in the heavens like balls of fire, and the atmosphere 

 appeared as though charged with lieaA-y smoke. Could not distinguish objects 

 at half a mile distance ; 26th and 27th, hazy like the preceding days. 



Berwick, Pennsylvania. — The Susquehanna lower at the BerAviclc falls than 

 for the last twenty years. 



Chestotoicn, Maryland. — July 19. — The drought still continues ; the grass 

 is dying out, and the corn crop is at least half gone. 24th. The atmosphere 

 has been so full of smoke for the last four days as to completely obscure the 

 sun Avhen Avithin fifteen degrees of the horizon ; objects at a distance of half a 



