| Rainfall. | Days on which Rain Fell. | Cloudy and Partially Cloudy Days. | Clear Days. | |
| February, | 1½ in. | 3 | 6 | 22 |
| March, | 5/8 in. | 4 | 10 | 21 |
| April, | 37/8 in. | 7 | 20 | 10 |
| May, | 15/8 in. | 6 | 19 | 12 |
| June, | 7 in. | 10 | 23 | 7 |
| July, | 7¼ in. | 20 | 22 | 9 |
| August, | 7½ in. | 15 | 15 | 16 |
| September, | 21/8 in. | 9 | 13 | 17 |
| October, | 35/8 in. | 9 | 11 | 20 |
| November, | 1½ in. | 5 | 11 | 19 |
| December, | 4¼ in. | 8 | 12 | 19 |
| Total, | 43½ | 101 | 171 | 194 |
Although the difference in the rainfall between the year 1880 and the years 1881 and ‘82, was 27½ inches in the former and 26½ inches in the latter year, there was not a change of one degree Fahrenheit in the mean temperature of the three years, which indicates a remarkable equability of temperature. From the above it would seem that the temperature is not governed by the rainfall. In 1880, rain fell on 104 days; in 1881, on 95 days, and on 101 days in 1882.
In 1880 there were 177 cloudy and partially cloudy days; 156 in 1881, and 171 in 1882. In 1880 there were 188 clear days; 209 in ‘81, and 194 in ‘82. The days on which rain fell were seldom rainy days, in the common acceptation of the term. Showers from one-half to one hour’s duration were the rule, and an occasional rainy day the exception.
The highest temperature recorded during the three years was 96° at 12 o’clock M., on the 1st of July and 26th of August, 1880; July 7th and August 4th, 1881, and on July 19th, 1882. The lowest temperature during the three years, was 38° at 6 o’clock A. M., on December 31st, 1880; 44° on January 26th and November 25th, 1881, and 38° on December 17th, 1882. Braidentown being surrounded on three sides by water, has, during the past three years, escaped damage by frost, although we do not claim to be below the mythical “frost line.” The hammocks on the opposite side of the Manatee River, and on Orange and Bee Ridges, south of Braidentown, have been visited by frost, and vegetation and tropical fruits have been injured.
From the ravages of hurricanes, tornadoes, and cyclones which occasionally visit the Atlantic coast, and sweep across the northern and extreme southern portions of our State, we are comparatively free. That portion of the Gulf coast of South Florida, lying between Clear Water and Charlotte Harbor, has, for some unexplained reason—probably the piety of its inhabitants—been exempt from hurricanes and tornadoes during the past forty years. I do not believe that the Manatee region is fully entitled to the appellation of Paradise; but I do believe that our citizens are as near that beatific place as they ever will be while in the flesh. If any one knows of a more desirable location on earth, or in the waters under the earth, I shall be pleased to record the fact.
S. C. Upham.
Sunnyside Cottage,
Braidentown, Fla., Feb. 5th, 1881.
D. H. Elliott, Esq.,
Sec. “Florida Fruit Growers’ Association,”
Jacksonville, Fla.,
Dear Sir: In the Report of the Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the “Florida Fruit Growers’ Association,” held in Jacksonville on the 27 ult., and published in the Daily Union of that city on the following morning, the annexed resolution was published, with the name of your humble servant appended as one of the committee: