Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-20
TER WEATHER.

$3.50
The snow which fell last night and
this morning was the, heaviest that has
been seen in Memphis for many years,
except that Of last year, which fell to q
depth of eleven inches from 5 p m.
March 9Th to 3 am. the next day. The
snow that fell last night is not less than
nine inches deep on the commons, while
on the streets it was much deeper at an
early hour this morning. The prospects
are that We will have cold weather for
several days. Severe snow-stOrms have
prevailed for a week or more sll over the
Northwest and in the East, and in the
latter part Of last week snow fell to g
depth averaging perhaps a foot over q
large area Of country in the Western
aud Middle States. The thermometer
was three degrees below zero at Omaha
this morning, and a northwest wind was
blowing at Galveston at the rate Of forty.
eight miles an hour. Last winter was
cold throughout, and the people were in.
ured to the weather and prepared for the
heavy now that fell q little wei a year
ago. This winter has been unusually
mild. Peach and plum trees were in full
bloom a month ago in this vicinity, and
young peaches can now be seen nearly
IS large as bird eggs. These of course
VII fall of, and most Of the fruit crop,
va fear. will be destroyed. The frost
that occurred last Monday and Tuesday
mornings killed at least two-thirds Of the
strawberry crop, and other vegetables
aud fruits in proportion. All manner Of
vegetation was unusually advanced for
this time Of the year, owing to the mild
ness Of the winter. This was so all over
the country, and up to this time there
was ne hope Of . half an ice
crop. Little fruit will escape in
this section, except, perhaps, apples.
Many people had made gardens and
planted early vegetables, which we're
coming up rapidly. The effect upon
these may not be so destructive, but Thai
remains to be seen. This suo storm
has been preceded by storms Of unusual
severity in various parts Of this country
and in Europe. The effects OF the
storm visitation in England seem t.
have been particularly severe; indeed
the breakup Of the winter in Europe
has caused widespread disaster, not only
in the British Isles, but all over the Con
tinent. Our kilograms of Saturday from
Chicago spoke Of a widely extended
nov storm in the northwest that had
continued two days and nights. A foo
Of snow fell in Maine, New Hampshire
Vermont and other New England State
Friday. Telegraph poles and wires hav,
been Frustrated in various directions
The effects Of the snow storm Of las
night are Rotiyet known. 1t EXTENDED
north as far as indianapolis, and as fai
southwest ss Shreveport. Snow at Nash
vile. Louisville and St. Louis last night
according to the reports of the sigma
Service. It must have been severe al
far South as Central Mississippi. The
telegraph wires are down at several places
between here and Grenada. Owing to the
great body of snow that lies in the
vast extent of country north and north.
west Of US and the extreme severity OF
the weather, we may expect q low ther
mometer and a retention of snow on the
ground here for several days. Thi:
snow is OF a peculiarly dry quality, fine
and solid and will not speedily melt
away. We learn that the wires between
Memphis and New Orleans are believed
to be broken in about forty places. Bnsi
ness OF every kind and travel will be
considerably interrupted. Trains vii
be impeded more or less and mails de
tanned. High, rough winds have pre-
vailed in various quarters for more thai
q week. There seems to have been
general meteorological disturbance.
Prof. Tice gave us due notice we are no
aware Of the fact. The weather burea
at Washington, however, has been acct
rate in its calculations and serviceabl
to the public. The value Of this branc
of the public service under the War D,
partment is becoming greater and NOR
important every year.