The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1888-02-19
THE GROUND HoG HAS FAILED,
And Connecticut Farmers arc I.ookinn Eise-
where for n Weather Prophet.


NORWICH, Feb. 1s.-The Connecticut
Candlemas day. On that day tho ground hog
did not come out Of his hole and fix the
weather for the rest Of the winter; ut least, no
ono cav him out Never before, Ii Is said, had
he neglected that important duty. The sun
came out, and there was sunshine enough for
him to see his shadow all day II no had snt In
the portal Of his burrow, but rs the ground hog
failed to keen his appointment the weather
seers don't know how to read tho old sign.
While the sunlight should forcshadow at least
six weeks moro OF winter, It is none the less
true that tho ground hog did not cast any
shadow on Candlemas day. Now. the weather
prophets argue 1t. the sun is not to blanc; it
evidently arranged for another month and q
half OF winter. but the ground hog got his back
up and refused to furnish 1t. The question
with them is. will the sun be able to carry out
its business agreement and furnish tho goods
without the collision of the ground hoGY Some
think that he will, while others reason that II
that possibility is conceded. OF what use is the
ground hogs shadow my way, and why Is not
up other signs. The muskrat hut to them
sf6S H., the most ins,Eneti0n. It Is built very
siderably above the surface OF the ice on ponds.
rivers, and trout-brook pools. Therefore it is
sui0 " pIeulCb tutt tiltTS VIII ~ u neuNy
freshet, IN the spring: and, as there is not less
than eighteen or twenty inches Of ice on the
streams 3 hn ! rivers, the , m% RH opinion
expected. His hut is Comfortably lined, but
rat. expeeted lust IT, m d iHRf' sort 1s o y" Weather nather
and lots of water" as enc prophet, puts It.
la nes h sHPs Sc w aoPe i for or a %settl mse ths u nature in th of
the weather. and the squirrels burrow. while
2 useful indicator for December, is value!ess
the birds contribute some positive information
indicating IN early spIing. Meadow lark s. or
mers are drnmmins on the dead NAPLES in the
woods. the crows hold big lawn parties in the
pastures ,enri, afternoon. chase each other
and Hooks Of bluobirds have been seen in the
Connecticut, River valley and in the outskirts
Oh IN a' he oO ridIIe of contradictory signs the
s MaeST wt| GgSop phs ,IG await Isai E The alm nan dayss Of
OF this month, for a trustworthy clue. The
almanac days for January furnished a perfect
epit9me OF the weather for that month. Many
ali. although it is the oldest in the weather lore
Of the Connecticut hill farmers. and is some-
times mes d tsniies r oy rea Ge ernalte pfop Tsstbor ssers
vile. who clphers out OF the Books OF Numbers
and Daniel predictions OF wars and notable
deaths, and who for gentle recreation from his
seyerer inyestigations now and then has q
s sis,od o. and she Mr. Tee Them IeF he of t 4 ioz city. s Whe
performs a similar historical office. and also
deals in weather futures. basing his ~calcula-
lions on astrological combinations and COM
putations tempered with spiritual divination.
Both wise men agree that there must be a tre-
mendous freshet all over the eastern country
this spring. but neither will commit himself on
the question OF cold and storms.
But. whether the season be rude or gentle,
confidence in the ground hog has been shaken.
1t Is the belief Of some observers that the war
Of determination that has been waged against
him for q few seasons past. since the small
bore rifles became popular. is the cause OF his
sulky mood. 1t is fun for house dogs and lazy
hunters to kill woodchucks. Some dogs spend
all their time in the summer and full catching
them, without the aid of their masters. and
bringing them to the house. There is n small
bounty on tho animals and n lively shepherd
dog can get from 25 to 100 in n season. and
more than pay for his keeping for his lifetime.
Languid. sportsmen take 4 book along to read
on their hunts: they stretch themselves in the
cool grass behind the trunk OF a tree, or Il wall.
about fifteen rods from u woodchuck burrow,
and read until the woodchuck pops out of his
door. Then they knock him over with a pellet
Of lead from a mean and cowardly little weapon.
whose report is not. loud enough to ~startle a
passing sparrow. Thousands Of woodchucks
are killed each season In this way. One OF the
most expert -woodchuck shots is Charles A.
Of Franklin, near this city. who last
summer killed with a little rifle 1870 OF the ami
mails. 100 Of which were struck by the lead d.
rectly bnck Of the ear. Such treatment" the
farmers say. has made the ground hog mad"
and some OF them are kind enough to add, an
I don't blame him, puther."