176 
CHARACTERISTICS OP THE SEASONS, 
On the 7th — a day worthy of record — the sun rose beautiful among gorgeous 
clouds, the air was balmy, a gentle dew (a rare meteor throughout the spring) clothed 
the herbage— all these, and the sweet song of the lark, gave earnest and assurance 
that winter influences had passed away, and given place to active spring. At noon, 
a soft and gentle rain — the first of the kind— commenced : it soon passed away ; 
but being followed up till the 13th by showers, by alternations of shade, and occa- 
sional gleams, the face of all nature underwent an entire transformation. The fruit- 
trees became masses of garlands— grass, corn, flowers, in field and gardens, all rushed 
forth. Never was metamorphosis more complete ; lost time was redeemed, and, had 
the rain, gentle as it was, continued till the 35th, with a medium temperature, every 
vegetable product would have been in advance. 
As a check, however, one of those singular transitions occurred, the cause of 
which our philosophy cannot even dream, much less fathom. The 23rd day proved 
oppressively hot and sultry, distant thunder was heard in the south-east, but no rain 
followed. On the contrary, a glaring sun ruled by day till the end of the month : 
the temperature rose, about noon, to 68°, 74°, and in some places to nearly 80°, and 
the nights were as warm as those of July, i. e. 58° to 66° and 70°, and this parching, 
arid state of weather continued till the 6th of June. 
" A cold May," is the old proverb; its reverse has ever been the prognostic of 
disaster, and the experience of the present year has established the doctrine of our 
forefathers ! The plants of the vegetable garden began immediately to suffer ; 
blossoms were rendered barren, those of the strawberry were visibly affected, as in 
May and June, 1846, the fertile organs becoming black, instead of enlarging. Apple 
bloom was scorched, and thus the anticipated crop was negatived to a degree that 
reduced it far below an average. As to the flower-garden, every part lost its grace 
and beauty ; and that not only by the flagging of the plants, but by the several 
species of Aphides, or green-fly, that took possession, each of its peculiar and 
favourite prey. Thus, any high degree of temperature — especially if accompanied 
by a powerful sunshine — prior to midsummer, may be considered as an agent of 
sterility. 
There is one phenomenon of singular interest which ought to be noticed. Two 
trees, the Oak and the Ash, are supposed by electricians to be in contrary states of 
electricity ; or, in other words, if one is positive, the other will be in a negative 
condition. The terms are sufficiently dark and inconclusive ; they evince our real 
ignorance of causes ; but such as they are, we employ them. If then it be admitted 
that these trees are antagonist — the one attracting that which the other repels — -it will 
be philosophical to conclude that they may be taken as indices of the existing 
condition of the earth and atmosphere. Public attention has of late years been 
excited by the remarks published in newspapers concerning the prognostics of the 
coming summer, afforded by the earlier or late developments of these trees. If, it is 
said, the Ash take the advance, the season will be rainy ; if, on the contrary, it be 
tardy, and the Oak take the lead, the summer will be warm and dry. 
