The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-10-21

L hG tCLlAD oCSOb0 StAntAlCL was
also used for Indian summer, but that
was mot until some time later. By
179S the name INDIAN summer" was
widely used in New England, in New
York by 1909 and in England by
1880. The name Indian summer is an
Amerfcanism, but the season to which
IT refers is not limited to this country.
The same phenomenon OF delightful,
balmy weather occurs in Europe. In
England it is known as ST. Martins
summer or All Hallow summer. refer
ring to, the time of the year, tf &C.
curing. when it has made the most
impressions est. Martins day, NovenI-
Der III. or All Hallow Even and the
days: following, All Saints day, No
vemBer ~ In Germany IT is called
Old Woman's: summer or st. Luke's
summer, commencing about October
is, and in, the Mediterranean regions
it is commonly called st. Martins
Little summer
So as nearly as It can be- fixed
Indian summer may come any time
! between, ST. lnke's day, October rs.
and st. Martins. day. November IN,
although the Indian summer type of
weather may be experienced before
or after either date--in September or
even in December: Science eannot End
any fixed period to, correspond to pop
ular ideas, Of when Indian summer IL
and it cannot be predicted any more
than thaws In midwinter. Science can,
however, account for fits appearance
even If it cannot predict it, and it
accounts for Indian summer by say
that it is a phenomenon resulting
from sluggish movement OF the
areas Of high and low barometer
across the country, and the fxation
for a time OF high barometer I'm the
South with low pressure I'm the
Northwest, giving general southwest
winds; and mild weather.
Concerning Indian summer one
scientist says:
In the United States this indefinite
spell is likely to be more apparent in
the upper Mississippi valley where II
IL more lLNllHcQ " JIG AK oeAchS SON
trast with the climatic conditions that
precede and follow it. East of the
Mississippi valley, the autumn periods
of dryness and tranquility become ir-
regular in their occurrence and OF brief
duration. The rainfall is normally so
light in the western states OF our
country that the chief elements of the
genuine Indian summer are not suf-
ficfently unusual to attract attention.
AA,1. nnaHv,
at this time of the year is chiefly
caused by the accumulation of dust and
smoke in the almost motionless at
mosphere. IT Is frequently called dry
fog and usually appears In what is
known as an 'anti-cyclone" when
fine. dry weather prevails. Minute
diatoms and volcanic dust and the
| dust from decayed vegetable matter
contribute to the density of 1t. 1t ay
| also be increased by the smoke from
| prairie and forest fires which may he
| transported great distances through the
upper atmosphere, while at the same
time the air near the earth may re-
main quite clear. often producing a
| peculiar yeliowish or pinkish effect due
| to the blue rays of sunlight being abb
| sorbed.
Indian summer has become a part OF
| the English language even though 1t
is not recognized by science.
Even though Indian summer is not
recognized by science. II has always
and probably always will hold its
place in American tradition and Amer
lean literature. 1t is a favorite theme
of poets-especially among the New
England grOup-essayists and cartoon
lists, all of whom have told in one way
or another of the glories Of this sea-
son.