58 



THE COLD WAVE OF DECEMBER, 1880. 



The orange growers of Florida are again called upon 

 to record another visitation of frosty weather, which for 

 severity excells any one experienced here within the last 

 ten years. 



In December, 1870, the thermometer marked about the 

 same figures, as in the same month in 1880, and the dam- 

 age done to the young-growing trees at the former freeze 

 was much greater than now. 



In the freeze of 1870 the freezing cold weather contin- 

 ued for six days: freezing every night, with bright, sun- 

 shiny days; whereas, the intense frost of the late cold snap 

 lasted but one night and day, and the weather continued 

 cool, cloudy and rainy for two weeks afterwards, which 

 was favorable. 



Like other visitations of the frost king, some locali- 

 ties were more lightly touched than others; but from ac- 

 counts received, nearly all portions of the State north of 

 the twenty-eighth parallel, and some places even further 

 south, were more or less scorched ; however, in the north- 

 ern and middle counties, the thermometer ranged lowest, 

 and the damage done will likely correspond, at this season 

 of the year. A severe frost in February is more likely to 

 do damage further south on account of the trees being more 

 forward in leaf and blossom. 



Those who contend for the "frost line," below which 

 bananas, pine apples, guavas, and other strictly tropical 

 fruits, can be cultivated without protection frp.m frost, will 

 be obliged to move a little farther down the peninsula. 

 Frost is reported to have occurred at Chuckalnskee, below 

 the 26th parallel. Although the damage done by the 

 freeze of December 30th, 1880, has been great, especially 



