A mercurial thermometer of the best kind made in London, with Farhenheit's scale adapted, consisting of divisions of one line to the degree, was suspended to the inner part of a column of the northern gallery of a large dwelling house nine feet from the earth, in such a manner that the thermometer was not in contact with the column, being twelve feet distant from the wall of the building, and entirely defended from the sun-beams by surrounding forest trees, while a free circulation of the atmosphere prevailed below. Frequent experiments shewed that during the hot hours of a summer's day, the thermometer being removed into a hall within the building and suspended twelve feet from the wall, the mercury fell from two to two and a half degrees, although a free circulation was maintained by two large open windows and one door in each of the opposite walls of the building. It may be proper to remark further that the summer of 1799 was accounted cool, the thermometer never having risen above 92° whereas during the warm season of 1800 it was often at 96° and 97°; though at the same time if the thermometer was placed under a deep shade of surrounding trees, it would fall to 91°, It appears that the proper situation for the thermometer, is such as is completely shaded from the direct sun-beams, but not so as to exclude all influence by reflection from the surface of the earth, being that which will best indicate the influence of atmospheric heat upon vegetation, which is what has been attempted to be shewn in the following journal. NOTE. The Society have been induced to publish this journal entire, as it is certainly the first that has been kept with so much accuracy and attention in that part of the world, and may serve as a standard with which to compare future observations. February 1st, Peach and plum trees in bloom. 3d. Peas in bloom. 13th, The strawberry blossoms. 17th, The horse ohesnut buds. DAYS. TH. BAR. PTS. STR. IN. State of the weather. DAYS. TH. BAR. PTS. STR. IN. State of the weather. 1st. Wild cherry buds. 5th, The yellow poplar, red oak, and dogwood in flower. 15th, Trees in general shew their buds or blossoms, excepting the walnut species, including the pacawn and hickory. 26th, Commenced planting cotton, having planted corn with the beginning of the month. 1st. The hail was of a spheroidal form inch in its equatorial diameter, and 4 inch in its axis, very transparent and fell with a N W wind. 10th. Strawberry redens. 12th. Walnut and hickory trees begin to bud, also Linn. Grass pastures begin to furnish abundance of food in the wood lands. 13th. Young artichokes formed and shooting up. 16th, Strawberry ripe. 20th, Green peas and artichokes ripe. 22d, Grubs and caterpillars devour the young cotton, corn and Irish potatoes, &c. the cotton shoots from many of the old stalks. 28th, Windsor beans fit to gather. |