Abstract of a Meteorological Journal. 261 



nicely adapted to the moderate or rapid manner in which it is evaporated by 

 the heat of the climate. In the cold regions of the north, a few inches 

 supply all the wants of the vegetable kingdom ; while in the tropics it is 

 poured down in torrents, amounting in some places to twelve or fourteen 

 feet annually. Who but an atheist could fail, in this law, to see the guid- 

 ing and directing hand of the great Architect of the heavens." 



The seasons of winter, spring, summer, and autumn of the 

 year, are particularized, and some comparison may be made 

 between those of the East and the West. 



" Winter. — The mean temperature of the winter months was 36"60°, 

 which is more than two degrees warmer than in 1844. The mercury was 

 at no time down to ; the coldest day being the 7th of February, when it 

 fell to 8" above. The Ohio river was not frozen over, and steamboats con- 

 tinued to run all winter, with the exception of a few days about the 20th of 

 December. No ice was formed of sufficient thickness for laying up in ice- 

 houses, and only a scanty supply was procured from floating fragments in 

 the Ohio, at the breaking up of the Alleghany, in February. The amount 

 of snow was small, the greatest quantity at any one time being three 

 inches, which was in December — it being remembered that in making up 

 the temperature of a winter, this month is always attached to that of the 

 following year, where it properly belongs. 



" Spring. — The mean temperature for the spring months was 53 89°, 

 which is 2° less than that of 1844, and nearly five less than that of 1842. 

 The months of February and March were each nearly a degree warmer 

 than those of 1844, and brought forth vegetation at a rapid rate, so that the 

 garden crocus was in bloom by the 20lh of the former month, and until the 

 20th of the latter, there was every prospect of an early and favorable 

 spring, but after that time, the frequent frosts of April and May destroyed 

 all the flattering prospects of the flower garden and orchard. 



" Summer. — The mean temperature of the summer months was 71 "16°, 

 which is a little higher than that of 1844, and was favorable in this part of 

 Ohio to vegetation. In June and July, there fell nearly as much rain as in 

 the five preceding months, and produced a rapid growth in Indian corn, 

 potatoes and oats. The wheat crop was a tolerable one, and the grain 

 generally ripened well. Nearly all our summer fruits were destroyed, such 

 as strawberries, gooseberries, currants, peaches and grapes. Melons, of 

 both varieties, planted after the first of June, produced fine crops, and 

 partly compensated for the loss of the fruit. Apples and pears were very 

 scarce, and what few there were generally proved defective and rotted soon. 

 For winter use, there were very few orchards that produced any, which 

 was a serious loss to many farmers near Marietta, who put up annually for 

 market from five hundred to two thousand barrels of the choicest varieties. 



" Autumn. — The mean temperature of the autumnal months was 52-25°. 

 This season was very pleasant while it continued, but terminated rather 

 abruptly the latter part of November ; the last nine days were quite cold, 



