March is a peculiar month--the month of what is termed, and aptly termed, "unsettled weather." It, may "come in like a lion," or be variable at the outset. The northern transit is fairly started, and is progressing rapidly, and there is great magnetic irritability. A reference to the table of Dr. Lamont will show that the declination has increased with great rapidity. Normally, the early part is like the latter part of February, and the latter part approaches the milder but still changeable weather of April. Its distinguishing feature is violent westerly wind. Not the regular N. W. only--although that is prevalent--but a peculiar westerly wind, ranging from W. by N. to N. W. by W., often blowing with hurricane violence. This wind was alluded to on page 130. With the change and active transit to the north, in February and in March, comes the tendency to diseases of the respiratory organs--pneumonias and lung fevers--and this is the most dangerous period of the year for aged people. April is a milder and more agreeable month. During some period of it, in normal seasons, and at other times in March, there is a warm, quiet, genial, "lamb-"like _spell_, exceedingly favorable for oat seeding. When it comes, advantage should be taken of it, for long heavy N. E. storms are liable to occur, and frequently with snow. On the latitude of 41 deg. heavy snow-storms are not uncommon in April. Within the last fifteen years two such have occurred after the 10th of the month. April, as we have seen, should be cool and moist. If dry, the early crops are endangered by a spring drouth; if very wet, there is danger of an extreme northern transit, and an early summer drouth. It is emphatically true that "April and May are the keys of the year." Its distinguishing peculiar feature is the gentle, _warm_, _trade_ rains--"_April showers_"--which, in the absence of great magnetic irritability, that current drops upon us. There is great _mean_ magnetic activity, but it is not so _irregularly excessive_ as in March.