292 [Assembly 



had an observation been taken at higher points, no doubt the differ- 

 ence would have been greater. The astonishing difference of 14^ 

 deg. at a distance of only 400 yards can only be accounted for by the 

 extreme stillness of the nighi, and the total absence of the least mo- 

 tion in the air. Had there been such motion, the result could not 

 have been the same, as was fairly tested by observation made during 

 the high winds of Feb. 7, 8 and 9, in the same year, when not a 

 quarter of a degree of difference could be perceived at the two points, 

 and what is also somewhat remarkable, the thermometer did not fall 

 below 1| degrees above zero, though owing to a strong current of 

 wind, it was generally thought to be the most severely cold weather 

 ever experienced here, and so long was the continuance and so strong 

 the current that the cold was carried south so as to destroy the orange 

 trees near St. Augustine and even to affect the coffee trees in the West 

 Indies. 



While the winds continue to blow, but little danger is to be ap- 

 prehended, but as they subside the cold concentrates in the lower 

 places, and the fruit in such places is consequently destroyed. There 

 are other causes which may produce the like effects in other locali- 

 ties, such as the heat arising from large bodies of water, which can- 

 not be cooled down by a few days current of wind from the north- 

 west, and having a higher temperature within them than the surround- 

 ing air. As soon as the winds subside the heat naturally arising from 

 the water must tend to check the cold, and it must be obvious that a 

 few degrees of heat only are required to protect the fruit. Where 

 the winds pass over a sheet of water for two or three miles in length, 

 when they subside there is only a gentle wafting of the warmth that 

 arises from it, just sufficient to create the desired effect. Such was 

 the situation of the orchard of Mr. Cromwell, near Baltimore, Md., 

 long known as the unrivalled " peach king" of that city. On a vi- 

 sit ot Mr. Claerman, of this committtee, to his orchard, about the 

 year 1834, he was assured that he cared no more for frost than he 

 did what sort of weather he had the year before ; the only effect it 

 had was to insure him a good price for his peaches, as it had created 

 a scarcity elsewhere, but did no injury to his crop. 



From the foregoing facts your committee take the liberty to sug- 

 gest to those who possess such situations, to embark largely in peach 

 culture, as a crop, when there is a failure in other places, is worth 

 more than half a dozen crops of ordinary seasons, and should that 



