CLIMATE, SEASONS, ETC. 



verdure. Yet the state of things in June, is, as to crops, and 

 fruits, much about what it is in England ; for, when things do 

 begin to grow, they grow indeed ; and the general harvest for 

 grain (what we call corn) is a full month earlier than in the South 

 of England ! 



20. Having now given a sketch of the face of the country, it 

 only remains for me to speak in this place of the Climate and 

 Seasons, because I shall sufficiently describe the Soil, when I 

 come to treat of my own actual experience of it. I do not like, 

 in these cases, general descriptions, Indeed, they must be very 

 imperfect ; and, therefore, I will just give a copy of a journal, 

 kept by myself, from the 5th of May, 1817, to the aoth of April, 

 1818. This, it appears to me, is the best way of proceeding ; for, 

 then, there can be no deception ; and, therefore, I insert it as 

 follows. 



1817. 



May 5. Landed at New York. 



6. Went over to Long Island. Very fine day, warm 

 as May in England. The Peach-trees going out of 

 bloom. Plum trees in full bloom. 



7. Cold, sharp, East wind, just like that which makes 

 the old debauchees in London shiver and shake. 



8. A little frost in the night, and a warm day. 



9. Cold in the shade and hot in the sun. 



10. The weather has been dry for some time. The 

 grass is only beginning to grow a little. 



1 1 . Heavy thunder and rain in the night, and all this day. 



12. Rain till noon. Then warm and beautiful. 



13. Warm, fine day. Saw, in the garden, lettuces, 

 onions, carrots, and parsnips, just come up out of 

 the ground. 



14. Sharp, drying wind. People travel with great coats 

 to be guarded against the morning and evening air. 



15. Warm and fair. The farmers are beginning to 

 plant their Indian Corn. 



1 6. Dry wind, warm in the sun. Cherry trees begin 

 to come out in bloom. The Oaks show no green 

 yet. The Sassafras in flower, or, whatever else it 

 is called. It resembles the Elder flower a good deal 



17. Dry wind. Warmer than yesterday. An English 

 April morning, that is to say, a sharp April morning, 

 and zjune day. 



1 8. Warm and fine. Grass pushes on. Saw some 

 Lucerne in a warm spot, 8 inches high. 



19. Rain all day. Grass grows apace. People plant 

 potatoes. 



