154 OF PROGNOSTICKS. CHAP. 4. 6. 



interest we take in future events occasion, added 

 to the use which agriculturists and farmers may 

 make of some knowledge of the approaching 

 weather, have always rendered men very atten- 

 tive to the signs of the seasons ; and made them 

 watch attentively for those circumstances from 

 which experience had taught them to antici- 

 pate severe winters, hot summers, late springs, 

 plentiful autumns, and other vicissitudes of the 

 year. 



In order to ascertain the varieties in the 

 Seasons, as indicated by the flowering of plants, 

 we ought to become accurately acquainted with 

 their natural periods, and the average time of 

 flowering which belongs to each species. I 

 have of late made an artificial division of the 

 seasons of different plants into six distinct 

 periods, to each of which respectively a certain 



M. Howard, and the Quakers in general, refuse to adopt the 

 old established names of January, &c. and have adopted a 

 numerical nomination, which is next to impossible to recollect. 

 I submit whether the following names would be objectionable 

 to them : Snowmonth, Rainmonth, Windmonth, Shower- 

 month, Flowermonth, Heatmonth, Haymonth, Harvestmonth, 

 Fruitmonth, Grapemonth, Fogmonth, and Wintennonth, 

 corresponding to Nivose, Pluviose, Ventose, Germinal, 

 Floreal, Thermidor, Praireal, Messidor, Vindemiare, Fru- 

 maire, Brumaire, &c. and to the German Wintermonat, &c. 



