|Grass |Oaks and |First |Last |First |green in |other forest|snow on |frost in |frost in Year.|prairies.|trees |approach |Spring. |Autumn. | |put forth |of winter. | | | |leaves. | | | =====+=========+============+============+============+========== | | | | | 1819 |April 18.|Half size |Oct. 8. few |May 18, |Sept. 23. | |May 19. |flakes. |very light. | -----+---------+------------+------------+------------+---------- | |April 22. |Oct. 24. few|June 1, |Sept. 20. 1820 |April 10.|full size |flakes. Nov.|very light. |Oct. 8, | |May 7. |11 3 inches.| |ice. -----+---------+------------+------------+------------+---------- | |Ap. 26 to |Nov. 8. |April 18, | 1821 |April 26.|May 3. f. |2-½ in. |severe. |Oct. 8 | |grown 22 | |May 9, light| -----+---------+------------+------------+------------+---------- | |April 29. |Nov. 16, |April 16, | 1822 |April 10.|full size |light. |severe, ice.|Oct. 13. | |May 14. | | | -----+---------+------------+------------+------------+---------- | | | | | 1823 |April 10.|April 23. |Nov. 1, |April 24. |Sp. 21-2. | | |light. | |Ice 23. -----+---------+------------+------------+------------+---------- | | | | |Oct. 21. 1824 |April 14.|April 30. |Nov. 7. |May 5. |hard | | | | |freeze. -----+---------+------------+------------+------------+---------- | | |Dec. 11, |Feb. 22. |Oct. 2-3. 1825 |Mar. 16. |April 3. |3 inches. |Next. |27th, ice. | | | |Ap. 20, ice.| -----+---------+------------+------------+------------+---------- | |April 10. |Nov. 25, |May 7, |Sept. 23, 1827 |Mar. 25. |full size |light. |light. |light. | |April 30. | | | -----+---------+------------+------------+------------+---------- | | |Nov. 12, | | 1829 |April 24.|April 27. |4 inches. |Not noted. |Sept. 17. | | |sleet. | | -----+---------+------------+------------+------------+---------- | |begin Ap. | | | 1830 |April 1. |5. f. size | | | | |May 1. | | |
These observations, upon a comparison with the same parallels of latitude in the eastern states, show that there is no material difference of climate between the two sections of our country, except that produced by local causes, as mountainous districts, contiguity to the ocean, &c.
A similar error has existed in relation to sudden and extreme changes of weather in the West. People who emigrate to a new country have their curiosity awakened, and perhaps for the first time in their lives become quite observing of such changes. From habitually observing the weather the impression is produced on their minds that there is a marked difference in this climate. Dr. Rush declares that there is but _one_ steady trait in the character of the climate of Pennsylvania--and that is, _it is uniformly variable_, and he asserts that he has known the thermometer fall 20° in one hour and a half. March 26-27, 1818, the thermometer in St. Louis, fell 41° in 30 hours--from 83° to 42°. I have no record or recollection of a more sudden change in 18 years. Mr. Legaux saw it fall in the vicinity of Philadelphia, 47° in 24 hours, and Dr. Drake states that this is five degrees more than any impression ever observed in Cincinnati, in the same length of time. Emigrants from New England and the northern part of New York state, must not expect to find the same climate in the West, at 38 or 40 degrees; but let them remove to the same parallel of latitude in the West, to Wisconsin, or the northern part of Illinois, and they will probably find a climate far more uniform than the land of their birth.