Meteorological Journal at Marietta, Ohio, for 1844, 287 



Art, VII. — Abstract of a Meteorological Journal, for the year 

 1844, kept at Marietta, Ohio, Lat. 39° 25' N., Lon. 4° 28' 

 W. of Washington Ciiy ; by S, P, Hildreth, M, D, 



Remarks on the year 1844. — In the year which has now 

 passed, there has been nothing very remarkable to distinguish it 

 from common years, except the early progress of vegetation in 

 the spring months, and the great amount of rain in the fore part 

 of summer, while the quantity for the year is less than usual. 

 The changes of temperature in different years do not so materi- 

 ally affect the productions of the earth, as the excess or the lack 

 of moisture. By the withholding of the rains at certain seasons, 

 when plants are vegetating, or the cereal crops are ripening their 

 seeds, the amount of product is materially affected ; while the 

 earlier or later appearance of summer heat may only accelerate or 

 retard the ripening of grains or fruit, without greatly altering the 

 quantity. The seasons in this beautiful valley of the Ohio are 

 never in such extremes as to blast the expectations of the hus- 

 bandman. If his crops of wheat or rye are injured or cut off by 

 the blight, his Indian corn, oats and potatoes make up for the 

 failure, and secure the land from the dire effects of famine, that 

 terrible scourge of some portions of Asia and Africa. At no pe- 

 riod since this valley has been fairly settled, have the inhabitants 

 suffered from a want of bread-stuffs, and so abundant have been 

 the crops, that those who purchased had them at a cheap rate. 



