M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1859-06-16
The Great Juno Frost.

The frost on Sunday morning the 9th inst,
has been the principal topic Of conversation
since Its occurrence. The opinions respect
ing the effect produced upon vegetation aro
various and conflicting, and the subject seems
to be little understood. We find in the Ma.
rietta Home NeiOs an article from the pen of
DR.. Hildreth, ofthat place, giving an account
Of the late frasts which have occurred there
since l77s, and their effects upon the grow
ing crops. The first occurred May 3, 1906.
1t was an early spring, and apples were as
large as musket balls. All the fruit was de-
stroyed
The year 1916 was noted for its low tenn.
perature, there being more or less frost every
month during the Spring and summer. Tho
crops were very short.
But the most remarkable year for severe
frosts wSs that of 1884. The month Of April
had been uncommonly warm the mean for
the month being 55 94l. By the 25th the
forest trees were in full leaf After cold
rain in the night, on the morning ofthe 9th
the mercury fell to 800, killing all tender
plants and the leaves of many trees. From
this time to the 18th Of May the weather was
mild. On the 18th, it sunk to 80 6, the 18th
to 81 Q l4th to % ., 18th to % Q, 18th to
30 o and 18th to $40 On the 10Th itIose
to 47o at sunrise. This continued series Of
frosts destroyed all kinds ofhuit and yegeta-
tion in the fields of the farmers and the gar.
dens in town. There were no apples in this
county, and but few on Hutchinson's island,
two miles below Marietta. The wheat was
nearly as forward as it was this year, but
mostly in the blossom. The head turned
white like plant dried in the sun. a gen.
eral CONSERVATION pervaded the community,
thinking famine must follow. Many farm
ers plowed their fields and planted them with
corn; others let them alone and were re-
warled for their forbearanCe by toIerable
yield Of grain. The stool left unharmed in
the ground threw up fresh shoots, more nu-
merous, but not so tall as the first, and per-
feCted the seed; but month or two later
than usual. The cornfeds were replantej;
June produced fair, crop of all such things
Us were COmmllLeu 10 tne edTlll'
Severe frosts often come in April, and ear
| ly in May, destroying the fruit crops, but this
is small affair compared with the staples
of life, such as wheat, corn and potatoes
when these are taken away, or very materi-
ally lessened in quantity, they have caused
man to feel anxiety, ifnot alarm.
On the Cd ofJune, lS4S, the mercury fell
20 "a in the morning, with smart frost
in The country, and making ice on bowl OF
water, near half an inch thiCk-killing beans,
corn, potatoes, &c.,-but not materially in
ljuring the wheat Melons had to be replant-
ed, and many other things. Indian corn is
endowed with vitality, when young, above
that of all other grains. Even when the TO-
liage is destroyed. if the root is uninjured, 1t
springs up again with apparently new vigor,
and perfects its seed in due season.
On the 3Oth and 3lst of May, in the year
l945, the mercury fell 10 81 on each NOR
ing; cutting down all the corn, potatoes, &tp
but not materially damaging the wheat
The temperature at Marietta on the morn
ing of the 9th of June, 1859, was SO . Tho
freezing point is 80 /; but being sheltered
by buildings and town air, 1t was or
ABOVE the temperature OF lne country out vi
the influence of the fog, which covered all the
low grounds near to streams of water, and
protects vegetation like garment.
1t is we'll established rule that from 9 +.
M. to sunrise next morning, in clear, calm
night, the temperature sinks l09-at
O'Clock last Saturday night, the thermometer
was at $40, and it should have been, but
for the fog, at 20 Q instead of $50.
These are the most destructive frosts OF
which we have any authentic records-what
will be the results of the terrible frost of June
8, 1859, remains to be seen. 1t is possible
that the fields of wheat that were only in
blossom, and had not formed the grains.
may throw up new stems, as it did in 1884
and produce crop worth the care and at
tention Of the farmer. 5. T. ID.
S-oO0-e-