175 
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEASONS. 
In a former article, an attempt was made to prove that the four horticultural 
•ters did not coincide with those of astronomical calculation. Winter did in fact 
mence in the fourth week of last November, which was later than usual — and 
lenly, after a most spring-like visitation, redolent of flowers and sweets. The 
ing gardener had, therefore, to task all his energies during the five or six 
sieessive weeks ; for the thermometer tables proved, that, from the 27th of 
Member, 1846, to the 3rd of January, 1847— both inclusive — the averages of 
n it and day, minimum and maximum, were a trifle below 82°, or the freezing 
p it 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 
s ny days in it — namely, the 11th, 14th, 15th, 26th, 29th, and 31st — yet little 
n fell; and here it may he proper to recal the attention of the gardener to the 
c lumstance, that since the extreme glut of rain which fell during three weeks of 
(tober, and the frequent showers of November, about the third week, we had no 
p und rain at all. Places differ, but such was the general character of the season 
i the counties south of the latitude of London. 
The coldest days of the year were the 12th and 13th of February, after the 
{ sat fall of snow on the 8th and 9th days. This snow continued on the ground 
1 several days, thawing only by solar power, till the 1 5th, when mild temperature 
; d 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, 
s overcast with clouds ; the wind was north-east, cool and bracing ; the barometer 
asiderably above 30 inches. After the 8th the days were generally sunny ; wind 
ctuating ; the nights verging to frost ; and they became really severe on the 29th, 
>th, and 31st. Nothing could well be more uncongenial than April in its early 
ys — scuds of snow or sleet, frosty rime, piercingly cold wind ; snow occurred 
ain on the 15th, after which the days became fine, more warm, with occasional 
Bstem breezes, and a very few gentle showers. Nature demonstrated its readiness 
become active : it was only held back by adverse agencies, yet still gave ample 
itice of inherent energy, which only waited its opportunity. In this state every- 
ing remained till the 5th of May, when the mid-day temperature, in the shade, 
>se to 60°. The 6th day became warmer, and rather sunny, the evening was cool, 
id the wind veered from north-east to a southerly point. The blossom-buds of 
ees were then ready to expand : the perfect maturity of the last year’s wood had 
rovided a profusion of these fruitful organs, some of which had expanded, 
articularly those of the Pear among fruit-trees, and the crimson-blossoming Ribes 
mong ornamental shrubs. Rain was still very deficient; but the want of it in 
olume sufficient to reach the deeper rooting plants, was the less felt in consequence 
f the very cool state of the weather. 
