Chap. V. O N T H E W E A T H E R. 477 



fome perfons, who could not be informed of the earthquake atLif^ 

 bon, aflerted that they perceived fome flight fliocks. . '^^j,, ' 



December. 



Theflcy was cloudy aln>oft all this month, and it rained almofl 

 every day. The air was mild enough j there being only a hoar-froft 

 on the 22d and 23d. 



The continual rains rendered the roads impaflible. The corn- 

 lands were full of ftanding waters. However, the corn kept up 

 where the foil was not too iliff; but it fuifered in black and clayey 

 grounds. As it was impoifible toplow, the farmer's works, were 

 greatly retarded.. ' '. . 



General idea of the temperature of the air, and of the froduBions of 

 the earth, during the year 1755. 



TH E winter was very long and fevere ; for the frofts ftill conti- 

 nued in January and February, and the thermometer fell to' 

 1,1 degrees in the month of January. But little rain fell during thefe 

 two months, nor in March or April. As the air continued very fliarp, 

 the fap of plants remained without motion : but the month of April 

 being fo warm that the thermometer rofe to 26 degrees above freezing, 

 vegetation made a great progrefs : trees bloffomed and were covered 

 with leaves; and by the end of that month the vines had leaves as 

 broad as one's hand. In the beginning of May, the air grew fo cold on 

 a fudden, that there was reafon to fear for all fruit-trees, and pfirti- 

 eularly the vine : and if no great harm did enfue, it muft be afcribed- 

 to the drought, which, as well as the chillnefs of the air, IHII con- 

 tinued during all June, and till the middle of July. From that time, 

 we had almoft continual rains, which were as preju.dical to .the 

 wheat, as they were favourable to the fpring corn. Thefe- rains, 

 h-ardly ceafed at all during the v/hole month of Auguft.. September 

 and Oftober were very dry, and the.^air was ftill cold : and laftly, a 

 great deal of rain fell during, the montlxs of Noyeml?er .and De~ 

 cenlber, which pafled alnioft without any fr.oil.; , ' 



Wheat. 

 The winter, the fpring, and part of the funimer having htfiw veiy 

 dry, the ftraw of the wheat did not grow tall, but the ears were fine 



enough;,. 



