9 
PHENOMENA OE WINTER. 
In the number of December last, at page 250, notice was taken of the error 
which — so far as horticulturists are concerned — prevails in ordinary calculations of 
the four quarters of the year. Winter, for instance, is supposed to begin on the 
shortest day, December 21. The weather that has been observed since the article 
referred to was penned, has, we should presume, experimentally proved that winter 
fairly commenced its reign by the 21st of November, in so far as concerns the 
condition of plants, then arrived at the period of their yearly torpor. The sun also 
is within six weeks of its lowest descent; and as on the 21st of December he 
begins to mount the ascending signs, beaming stronger light, and therewith blending 
the vivifying agencies of heat and electricity, can we for a moment longer retain a 
preference for an erroneous kalendar? The late frosts, which commenced about 
the 26th of November, continuing with few short intermissions till the 28th of 
December, prove to demonstration that winter was completely established, and had 
passed through more than half its course. 
We regret that the few important observations we have to offer could not 
earlier meet the eye of the reader, for much remains to be done in the meantime. 
Still, in order to confirm the facts which it appears desirable to establish, we venture 
to say that, unless the frost continue, with snow, and become more intense, ere the 
first day of February * numerous evidences of the vivifying influence of solar energy 
will be presented to the lover of nature ; buds will enlarge, even through the 
coldest weather ; the earliest flowers will emerge, if not to bloom ; the grass will 
assume a livelier hue, and, whether exposed or under glass, a manifest progress in 
vegetation will be discerned. As, however, those meteorological phenomena of 
winter — frosts, snow, sleet, are to be expected till the fourth week of February, we 
may fairly admit the existence of three winterly months, provided that we estimate 
its middle or depth to fall on the 21st of December. There will then be five or six 
weeks before that day wherein nature is declining unto its utmost torpor, and from 
five to seven weeks after the turn of days, during which the principle of life (at 
least in the roots) begins to awaken into activity. As, however, the morning sun is 
ever the most vivifying, it can be granted that the depth of repose may continue till 
the first week of January, for not till then does the sun rise more early by a single 
minute. Formerly our kalendars indulged in another error, and recorded an exact 
and equal shortening and lengthening of all the days. Of late years, however, the 
almanacs give correct time, and show that while the sun ceases to set later in the 
evenings by or about the 9th of December, he continues to rise later in the morning 
till the 26th, when, and for six succeeding mornings, the hour of his rise is 8 h. 9 m. 
* It will be observed, that the above observations were penned before the setting-in of the late 
frost ; and that, owing to vegetation having suffered from the contingency there alluded to, the 
appearances indicated have not this year been witnessed. 
VOL. XIV. NO. CLVII. 
C 
