THE SPRING SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22231, 4 October 1935, Page 15

THE SPRING SEASON

Sir, —Many beside astronomers are interested in the correct division of the seasons, and I, for one, thank Professor Lamb for his definition. When my " "young idea was being taught to shoot" we were told, at school in England, that summer began six and a-half weeks '. before and ended six weeks and a-half after June 21. From this the other seasons might be reckoned. I have al-I.V ways taught this (though under frequent contradictions), allowing for antipodeal conditions. Your valued paper has long given prominence to thin subject, but my impression is that each discussion has shown the opinion to preponderate which has it that midsummer or mid-winter day marks the beginning of the season. Is it not reasonable to state that we have passed mid-winter directly the sun commences to mend his ways, and that, conversely, the summer declines whenever his ardency slackens? The cold season and the warm season may commence at those times, and we may say so, but Professor Lamb has shown us that the old conception is the right one, that the middle of winter and the middle of summer arrive about the shortest and longest day respectively. River head. Edwin Greensmith.