Mr. Barker’s Regtjler , &c. 237 
Thefevere froft of December, 1784, broke early in January, 
and was all gone before the middle, and the moft open part of 
this (harp winter followed it, being mifty or thick and warm 
very wet air ; but the laft day of January another froft fet in, 
which, though not fo fteady as the former, was fometimes 
very fevere, and did not go away till near the middle of March t 
and this winter, particularly the former froft about December 
10, was much feverer in the fouth of England than here, and 
greater figns of deftruflion by it were feen among the trees 
and plants there. From the breaking of the froft till April 4, 
was chiefly frofty mornings, and fometimes in the (hade all 
day, fo that, if you count the number of frofty days, I do not 
know that any winter had more, though I have known feverai 
fonger frofts* and more fteady, and fome few more fevere. 
From April 5, the weather began to mend, was tolerably 
pleafant, and things came on gradually ; yet not without fome 
frofty mornings, even in May. The feed time began late, but 
was without hindrance ; and there having been very little rain 
(mce the froft, it harrowed remarkably fine, and the lands and 
roads were uncommonly dufty. The corn came up very well, 
except the late fown, fome of which, efpecially in the fouth of 
England, lay dry till June ; for it continued a remarkably dry 
time all fpring, fo that the grafs was very fhort, and hay very 
fcarce ; yet the grain continued particularly fine-coloured, and 
eared very well, though fome of the winter corn was rather 
thin ; yet that was much mended by fome refrefhing (bowers- 
in May and June, which were enough to frefiien tilings,, 
though not to make much grafs : and during this drought there 
were great numbers of little whirlwinds, .fometimes fweral in .• 
