The Sun.
London, England, 1837-04-03 00:00:00

AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR

MARCH.

" As the day begins to lengthen
The cold begins to strengthen."

Such was the saying of the olden time long before the
alteration of the style ; but in this most singular year we
may very correctly, for " begins" read continues ; and, in
good verity, our notice for this third month of the year
might, with the utmost propriety, be considered a meteoro-
logical, rather than an agricultural, report ; for, if we ex-
cept the incipient swelling of the hawthorn buds, there has
been no perceptible advance in the progress of any of the •
agricultural crops. In looking over the averages of tempe-
rature, which have been registered on the evidence of long-
continued observation, we perceive that the mean for Janu-
ary should be about 35 or 36 degrees, for February 38 de-
grees, and for March 43 degrees, or rather higher. Now,
although the average of the past January surpassed that of
the tables, yet, owing to the almost entire absence of sun,
every vegetable production remained torpid ; February im-
proved in character, and afforded more sun ; but it termi-
nated with snow and frost, and the torpor continued. In
one respect the month proved most seasonable, as the
ditches and water courses were filled ; the wells also, and
underground sources of water were amply replenished ; and
we have reason to believe that for years past there has been no
provision of water at a greater depth below the surface which
could compare with that of the present season. We anticipate
much prospective good as respects the growth of under-
wood, timber, and fruit trees during the ensuing summer.
March was introduced with a cold and frosty air from the
north-east, and its course, to the nineteenth day inclusive,
was of a character so even and undeviating as to be a sub-
ject of surprise to the practised observer of meteorological
phenomena. The thermometer at eight in the mornings
varied so little, that the average of the whole period may be
stated at 32 degrees, the freezing point of Farenheit's
scale. The medium at two o'clock in the afternoon of the
nineteen days was very nearly 36 degrees, while that of the
nights, taken at the hour of ten, was, as nearly as possible,
321 degrees. The day of the equinox (the 20th), when the
sun entered the sign of Aries, and the spring quarter began,
produced a remarkable change ; frost of a very severe
power set in, and with it. scuds of snow, driven by a very
stiff breeze, recurred during five successive days. Our
thermometer indicated 24 25 26 degrees mornings and
nights, while its utmost altitude at mid-day did not exceed
34 degrees in the shade, during brilliant and powerful sun-
shine ; the wind blew chiefly from some easterly point, but
it veered to the west on the 25th day ; and now (28th) for
the first time havraised the temperature at two p.m. to 44
degrees, and permitted the evening to pass over without.
frost. We have heard, however, that in Essex no snow
had been seen, while in the counties west of the metropolis
it had fallen in great abundance.
Under all these circumstances, though the three past
weeks were decidedly dry, the equinoctial, prognostic may
be viewed as doubtful ; because the barometer began to
fall at that period, the wind went to south of east ; and,
though no rain fell, snow came in lieu of it ; the average
temperature has also been nearly ten degrees below the or-
dinary mean ; and this, probably, indicates the approach
of much wet weather. On every account, therefore, we
think that the entire season must be deemed anomalous,
and that no ordinary rules can be safely made to apply to
a case which is, in its very nature, an exception.
Of the future progress of the crops no opinion can be
hazarded ; everything remains as it was at Christmas ; the
grass, in fact, is far more defective in its verdure, and the
wheat, clover, and tares are diminutive beyond example.
Still it should appear that no injury has been sustained,
and, up to the period of frost and snow, farmers were con-
gratulating themselves on the state of the weather, as it
tendered the soil tractable and free to the utmost extent of
their wishes. Pease, beans, and oats have been sown under
every advantage, and some have commenced ploughing for
barley : thus there is no ascertained ground of fear, an an
amelioration, with genial showers, and alternating warm
gleams of sun, will not fail to produce a rapidity in vegeta-
tion which will, in a very few days, effect an astonising
and most gratifying change.
March 29, 1837.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ENTERED INWARDS AT THE CUSTOM-HOUSE

APRIL 1. •
The Alexander, Lavalle, from Gravelines ; Victorine,
Languhart, Cherbourg ; Friends, Hill, Guernsey ; Bermuda,
Phillips, Berbice ; Cherub, Ghuzleir, St. Michael's; Edward,
Schmilder, Hamburgh ; Comet, Bynon, St. Michael's ;
Nancy, Skidmore, Guernsey; Asia, Wilson, Sicily; Venus,
Beale, Guernsey ; Alliance, Beale, Guernsey ; James, Allard,
Sierra Leone ; Lynx, Anning, Guernsey ; Norval, Mitchell,
Grand Canary; Rate, Canning, St. Maria's ; Margaret,
Sterford, Cadiz; Anna, Gelzean, Teneriffe; Brothers, Veal,
Messina ; Britannia, Cheesman, Hamburgh.
ENTERED UTWARDS.

The William Jolliffe, Middleton, for Calais; Dart, Block,
Ostend; Alfred, Atto, Stettin; Neptune, Petres, Antwerp ;
Ranger, Briton, Cape of Good Hope; Charlotte, Murys,
Ghent.