Observations on the Season q/* 1816. 131 



from its being cool, was favourable to this kind of grain, 

 had no adventitious counteracting circumstances occur- 

 red ; but its salutary effects were frustrated by a drought 

 which came on a short time after it was sowed, and con- 

 tinued so long as to retard its growth and blossoming ; it 

 appeared a week or two to be in statu quo, and of 

 course the crop was much jeopardized by this circum- 

 stance. Had the frost been absent the length of time 

 longer than usual that the drought existed, there wo ild 

 have been a much better crop ;* but even this would not 

 have removed the effect altogether, as its growth in con- 

 sequence was very diminurive, and as the frost came on 

 as soon, or rather sooner than usual. This, in addition 

 to the drought, h ( s caused the crops to be less this year 

 than in any one within my memory. 



Influence injurious—on Indian Corn (zea maize.) This 

 valuable, or rather invaluable grain, seems indigenous to 

 the tropical countries, or at least grows best in long, warm 

 summers, and as it takes nearly the whole of the season 

 here to perfect its fruit, and it being a tender plant, can- 

 not far pass its usual period of ripening ; so that a short 

 season, even if warm, will much hazard a crop ; but if 

 the season is both short and frosty, it must inevitably fol- 

 low, that crops will be very trifling, which is the case at 

 present; In addition to the above unfavourable circum- 

 stances, the cut worm in the spring did immense damage 

 all over this part of the country : corn was planted, re 



* When the frost came, the buckwheat was bending under its load 

 of blossoms and grain, remarkably full, probably one half of it yet in 

 the milk. 



