175 
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEASONS, 
In a former article, an attempt was made to prove that the four horticultural 
quarters did not coincide with those of astronomical calculation. Winter did in fact 
commence in the fourth week of last November, which was later than usual — and 
suddenly, after a most spring-like visitation, redolent of flowers and sweets. The 
forcing gardener had, therefore, to task all his energies during the five or six 
successive weeks ; for the thermometer tables proved, that, from the 27th of 
November, 1846, to the 3rd of January, 1847- — both inclusive — the averages of 
night and day, minimum and maximum, were a trifle below 32°, or the freezing 
point of Fahrenheit, the wind blowing for the greater part from some northerly point. 
January was a period of gloom, fog, and clouds. There were but five or six 
sunny days in it — namely, the 11th, 14th, 15th, 26th, 29th, and 31st — yet little 
rain fell; and here it may be proper to recal the attention of the gardener to the 
circumstance, that since the extreme glut of rain which fell during three weeks of 
October, and the frequent showers of November, about the third week, we had no 
ground rain at all. Places differ, but such was the general character of the season 
in the counties south of the latitude of London. 
The coldest days of the year were the 12th and 13th of February, after the 
great fall of snow on the 8th and 9th days. This snow continued on the ground 
for several days, thawing only by solar power, till the 15th, when mild temperature 
and a change of wind to west by south, completely carried it into the ground. 
March was a cold and dry month : a third of it, chiefly at the commencement, 
was overcast with clouds ; the wind was north-east, cool and bracing ; the barometer 
considerably above 30 inches. After the 8th the days were generally sunny ; wind 
fluctuating ; the nights verging to frost ; and they became really severe on the 29th, 
30th, and 31st. Nothing could well be more uncongenial than April in its early 
days — scuds of snow or sleet, frosty rime, piercingly cold wind ; snow occurred 
again on the 15th, after which the days became fine, more warm, with occasional 
western breezes, and a very few gentle showers. Nature demonstrated its readiness 
to become active : it was only held back by adverse agencies, yet still gave ample 
notice of inherent energy, which only waited its opportunity. In this state every- 
thing remained till the 5th of May, when the mid-day temperature, in the shade, 
rose to 60°. The 6th day became warmer, and rather sunny, the evening was cool, 
and the wind veered from no^th-east to a southerly point. The blossom-buds of 
trees were then ready to expand : the perfect maturity of the last year's wood had 
provided a profusion of these fruitful organs, some of which had expanded, 
particularly those of the Pear among fruit-trees, and the crimson-blossoming Ribes 
among ornamental shrubs. Rain was still very deficient; but the want of it in 
volume sufficient to reach the deeper rooting plants, was the less felt in consequence 
of the very cool state of the weather. 
