
          474

and return.  The afternoon was beautiful, not a cloud was to be seen, the
temperature slightly above freezing point.  Regarding this month, what
an ideal winter month it has been; the highest temperature up to date
being 49° and the lowest 14°, each day not being much different from
the preceeding ones; beside, the inclement weather, snows etc <s>of</s> have
been practically nothing.  Compare temperatures for instance with last
year's when the highest for the month 65° and the lowest 3°.

A number of ponds lie north of the tracks; these had been 
formed by the railroad cutting off portions of the tidal swamp
which it crossed.  On the bank, facing the tracks, of one of these
ponds, I found several years ago Tussilago farfara, a curious composite
the flower which resemble those of the Dandelion appear sometime before the leaves.  I thought I might
find this plant, but although I searched carefully, no trace of it
could be found.  I think it <s>was destroyed</s> has been killed by
the great amount of ashes thrown on it.  South from this pond,
men were busily unloading barges and scows of dirt, which was being thrown
in a heap from the shore.  I learned that a pier was to be built.  The
hauling of dirt on barges to this place seemed remarkable.  But a short
distance farther out and one comes to a fertilizer works.  Here, on the
grounds west of it and which is covered with oyster shells grows
        