The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-03-17

orally very clear and bracing, mostly calm, though
uprvarous winds occur occasionally. The prevailing
winds are ON the w. N. w. and North, and always
bring clear weather-they prevail about two thirds
of the winter. East, North and Southeast winds
from the Great Lakes bring snow storms, and ne
always damp, chilling and unpleasant. The mercury,
though almost always below the freezing point, is
seldom below zero; three four occasions il
sinks to from 20 10 IS degrees below-thou3h this
weather continues more than three OF four days
at fal,hest. The coolest day Of the past winter
the 9Th of February, when the mercury fell to rs deg
below zero. AT these periods there is but little wind
and the cold is fiji much less than any not
customed to the climate would imagine Very heavy
r fads frequently occur, when the whole air seems
filled with little ice crystals, which sparkle in the
m ,rning sunlight, like millions of precious gems
The surrounding forests being cncascd in glitte,ny
rost and ice, present most magnificent appearance.
The Mississippi river generally closes ea,y in De-
ccnl:er, and opens the latter part Of March. The
winter continues for about four months; though We
often have cold, rough weather for additional
month or two In summing up its merits, would
add that, owing 10 its even temperature, and hence
allowing out Of door exercises and employ ments for
a greater number Of days than that Of most other
countries, 1t is highly conducive to health, longevity
annd social intercourse and advancement.
The spring is usually bosterous and cold. There
Is then more wind and dampness than in the wirter.
That there are exceptions to this however, the spring
OF last year. and the month Of March, 1851, may he
evidenced. The prevailing winds similar to
those OF winter--vz from the W. n. w. to North.
The continues cold and ackward until early
May, when a sudden change takes place, and all ma
turc is robcd in tho chce, fu vcres Of this gay
portion If the year. The frost usually leaves the
ground in April. The latter part of May and carls
in June is the usual seeding time.
The summer is very cool and pleasant, with fine
breeze at all times blowing, mostly from the West,
SDu hup and mi md kes
endnable the eXtreme heat Of the sun, which beam.
ing through the clear and b. ant almosp herc rivals
that of the tropics in lis intensity. This great heat
Is OF but short duration, rarely continuing longer than
a week most. The nights a.c always cool and
bracing, aud the sleep obtained is sound, rces hing
and sweet Thunder storms very frequent usually
occurring in the afternoon and evening, and time
c Jntnuing all the night. Those at night always
much the heaviest, and Of the longest duration. A
rena, kab!c thunder storm occurred at Sank Rapids
On the 18th and 18th of July, 1851, which continued
for some Thirty hours the rain failing
AT intervals in torrents. 1t was accompanied by "a
hurricane Of wind from tho southeast, which pros
trated forest trees, tearing them up by the roots like
twigs, and swapping others of like pipe-stems. 1t
created considerable havoc along the western bank of
the Mississippi above Crow River, and extended
some distance in a Northwest direction. Its breadth
! never ceitained. Heavy hail storms sometimes
occur. The most rernai kable one which have no.
tlced is described IN letter to the Pioneer, dated
Benton City, (Sauk Rapd>) June Is, 1851.
1.-The most terrific Iaia aud hailstorm that ever
remember, occurred here last night, from 10 =. NJ,
until after midnight. Ii came up suddenly from the
west, and for several hours the heavens were Der.
feet larc Of light Painful the eve 10 witness:
while the thunder truly deaf.ning at first, and
most terrific. The rain fell in pei feet sheets Of
water, and the hail descen ed like shower of bal.
lets, crushing through the windows and flying across
the roam with violence; while the house creaked
and shook and rocked like ship sea, and verify
expected it to come tulnLlins about my ears each
moment.
'Thc haistoncs, unlike ordinary ones, were rough
and jagged. though a storm of the sInters aud
shvers Of an iceberg had been hurled over this embryo
city; Which, owing 10 the mtagre number Of houses
suffered but little. Ere long the rattle and Glitter of
their falling, drowned the thunder completely. BY
the Lare of the lightning. could see The rain drops
and halls driven by the gale, skim a!on, the
ground, and striking, bound several feet to the air.
in dense sheet Of mingled ice and water, Ike wave
OF hail Using and rolling befDre the storm.
could hear the clash and of the successive waves
as they stuck the house fence in their course
Ike regular discharges of firearms. The largest
stones were about one inch in diameter and fell upon
the roof like grape shot, The surrounding trees ave
well stripped OF limbs ard leaves, which were cut
AMI split in shreds, and dashed off in m &c quantities
Altogether, il was wcllgrown hai>iorm for a new
country. and as a meteorological phenomenon, have
thoushta hasiy description worthy Of rcco,d.'
Sank Rapids is situated the Mississippi, 76
miles orihwest OF St. Paul.
The summer season is shor,-warm weather
seldom sets in before July. although there are at
tunes exceptions. Very hot weather occurred last
year in May. VIVA, is lost in This respect, is
more than fully IN dc up in Autumn which is
here the most lovely portion of the year. Frcsts
seldom occur before October, while ii beautiful
Indian summer lasts ill the middle of November,
when winter soon after sets in suddenly. As a
genera! thing, there are gentle grada,iOns Of
heat and cold between the change fiom spring to
summer, and from fall to winter That season
usually fingers in the lap Of spring, until he can
no longer hold his sway, when he gently yields
hts long supremacy, and retreats to northern
chimes. without eylncing any disposition 10 pro-
tract II stay. No crops are nipped, nor buds or
blossoms perish from renewal al his icy BREATH
in the shape Of chilling, killing fross. lie melts
away before the soft murmurings Of the southern
giles, and leaves no tiace behind. He fields at
once, and with grace which does credit to he
rude. rough storm king-and Immediately ii
marked change takes place. No elemental
war from heat TO cold, trom wet to dry--each
striving for tie mastery during an intervening
month or two, as in the States, occurs. On the
contrary, The soft breath Of early sun mes comes
breathing along the southern wales, like the swell
iings up from full and gushing Notwithstanding
forth lis warm pulsatons. and giving life and vi
gcr to every living thing beneath its touch. The
uncouded sun pours forth his genial beams, re-
vivifying the face Of nature. and causing it 10
bloom and hlpsspn,. But anon, each day almost,
change comes over the spirit Of his dream, and
The storm clouds gather in the western sky; then
heavens artillery heard peaing forth its echoes
from sky to earth. from plain TO plain, and the re-
freshing rain descends in copious. grateful show
ers.
The bountifnl ea, tn. thus ished and repenish.
ed, produces plenteousy; and the ripened graf,
is waving in the breeze, the golden is gistcnins
in the morning sun, the ripe and luscious melons do
the rich, smooth soil. IT'S true there are no fui
bending beneath the rosy peach, the pear, the
plum, the cherry and the apple, to gladden. the eye.
Of the Pomologist and cause the mouth TO water il
anticipation of the luxurious feast Yet this is alto
gcther owing to the Of the country, and .h'
of time, yet, TO plant and produce those fruits
not, forsooth, that are too far to the North, 81
that it is too cold to ripen them in perfecton no
that the incemency of winters will destroy then
by freezing. There can he certain criterion
Of the climate Of any county than its vegetable
productions, and may he stated here generally, tia
while all the grains and vegetable productions of IN
Middle and Western States, have been produces