Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-12
WEATHER PROPHETS.
Muskrats, Icelncl, Raftslnen, and Far.
mcrs Predict a Mild Winter.

From the Port Jervls Gazette
The opinion prevails on the part Of many OF
the weather wise that the coming winter will be
mild one. Some Of their predictions are based
on the habits OF the wild animals Of the fields
and woods noting the supply the squirrels lay
by for their winter support, the depth of the
woOdchuck holes, and the thickness of the fur
of fur-bearing animals. But the animal whose
sagacity is the most accurate and whose wisdom
ismost safe to follow, in the opinion Of many, is
the muskrat. The muskrat never makes a
mistake. He knows all about the weather, and
when he omits to build his usual nest near the
bank of the stream he frequents. it is very evil
dent that he regards it as altogether unnecessary
for him to be at the care and toll required to
construct it. The muskrat never eypends his
labor in folly. If he don't need a house for
winter he don't build it. He has built none SO
far this year, so report says, and the conclusion
is irresistible that he has omitted the work only
because he fOresees that the temperature will be
SO mild and endurable that he can manage to
get along very comfortably without it.
Some think the weather will be mild, because
the husks on the corn were thin. They say that
nature anticipates the kind of winter she in
tends to give by the abundance or scantiness of
dress she gives the ears. When the winter is to
be cold, they say that the husks that surround
the corn are Invariably thick and many: when
the winter is to be mild, they are thin and few.
They were thin and few in last falls crop, and
hence the winter will bsnild.
The ice men say that the winter will be mild
Their predictions are based on the state of the
wind and weather when the sun crossed the line
In passing from its summer to its winter solstice
On the day on which this event occurred the
wind, they say, blew from the south; and the
sun shOne warm. Observations continued
through long Series of years have demonstra-
ted, they assert that the prevailing winds dur
ing the time the sun sojOurns In the southern
MI
from the same direction as does the wind on the
day the sun crosses the line.
Quite similar to the cemen's ideas on this SUBJ
ject the opinions of the Delaware river RATS
men. They, too. are close observers Of the state
OF the atmosphere, wind and sun the day
that luminary crosses the equnOctia line. The
Delaware river raltsman's anxiety is for fresh
ct. and all the signs and indications by which
they may be predicted are carefully remembered
and diligently studied. Their observation they
say, has established that when heavy rains and
high water occur at the time of the equinox
every succeeding storm will shed less rain, and
the height Of water in the river will con tinue
Tor months to decrease. On the contrary when
clear skies and low water accompany the equi-
nOX. the rain storms which follow will increase
In volume In ge0metrical progression, SO that
by the time March is reached heavy rain storms
high water and rafting freshets may be conf
IDENTIFY anticipated. This year the sky was clear
on the equiaoctial day. and the lumbermen are
great freshets they confidently expect during
the latter part of winter ana early spring. To be
rainy the weather must be warm, and as the
signs, in their opinion, point to an increasing
amount of rainfall as the winter passes the in
terence is that the prevailing temperature will
be warm and mild
The farmers-at least some of them-are able
to make fair predictions as to the weather.
They join with the icemen and raftsmen i'm as
sertlng that the present winter will be mild.
They base their predictions on the recurrence
of seasons Of like character following each
other Eight or nine years ago, they say. tine
winters every year grew milder, until the cul-
minatiOn was reached in winter Of excep-
tional midness, when warm winds prevailed.
little snow fell, and scarcely ice enough was
formed to enable them to gather even the
slimmest store for summer USE The past two
or three years they say, have resembled in
general character and in increasing mildness
the years which preceded the warm winter
alluded to, and the present. they feel certain,
Will be very near counterpart of the warm
winter itself. This year the elimination OF
warmth will be reached. and more rigorous
seasons may he anticipated after this one has
sod