Observations on the Season in the Year 1816. 139 



and squash vines, visited them later, or rather it was la- 

 ter in the season before they made their appearance, and 

 I think did much less damage ; as the cool weather 

 would naturally operate against their multiplication. Ve- 

 ry few caterpillars ; and f do not recollect seeing any of 

 the blistering flies, (Lytta vitata,) this season, though, 

 in some others, they have been in great plenty, on the 

 potato and beet tops, &c. 



With respect to fruit, it may be considered as a general 

 rule; that all those kinds that come to perfection, or ma- 

 turity in the months of July and Angus', when the heat 

 is the greatest, would of course be better flavoured, in this 

 or any other season, than those that ripened earlier or 

 later. And it may also be observed, that fruit, of what- 

 ever kind, that was late of ripening, or required the whole 

 summer to come to perfection, in other seasons, could 

 not come to maturity in 1816. It might be said, that 

 every thing was two or three weeks behind hand, through- 

 out this extraordinary year. 



East Marlborough Township, Chester count y, Pa, 

 December 31$*, 1816. 



