METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1897, 167 



temperature was below 40° twelve days, consequently the averages 

 are low — the maximum being 57° and the minimum 40°, against 

 63° and 43° respectively in May, 1896. 



The prolonged cold, hard weather had its natural effect on 

 vesretation. The Oak came into leaf on the 19th and the Ash on 

 the 24th, the former sixteen and the latter twelve days later than 

 in 1896. Apples, Pears, Hawthorns, Lilacs, Rhododendrons, &c., 

 were likewise about the same time later in blooming. The Cuckoo 

 was heard in Camphill on the 26 th. 



June. — The weather throusfhout this month was chanc^eable, 

 with frequent heavy rains. The first three days were cold and 

 wet, a very severe thunderstorm occurring on the 2nd and 3rd. 

 For a week afterwards we had dry weather and occasional bright 

 sunshine, with the winds easterly. After the 10th, when the 

 wind moved to the west, for a fortnight the weather, though milder, 

 was verv unsettled, and much rain fell. Towards the end of the 

 month it became drier and more pleasant. Twice during the month 

 the rivers were in full flood owinsr to the heavv rainfall — first 

 with the rains of the 2nd and 3rd, when the quantities registered 

 were 0*87 and 0*74 inch respectively; then with the extraordinary 

 rainfall of the 16th, when 1'60 inches were recorded. The total 

 amount of rain which fell during the month was 5*67 inches — a 

 quantity much above the average, and which proved to be the 

 largest amount for any month during the year. There were 

 fifteen diy days. Owing to the winds being so much from the 

 east, the barometer readings show a less erratic course than had 

 the winds been westerly, the pressure being fairly steady between 

 29*50 and 30*00 inches. The only drop was with the storm on 

 the 16th, when the pressure sharply fell from 29*96 on the 15th 

 to 29*20 on the 16th, after which it rose irregularly for a few 

 days, then kept steadily about 29*80 until the end of the month. 



For the season the temperature was low. The highest reading 

 of the thermometer in shade was 73° on the 6th, and it was only 

 five times above 70°. The highest reading for June of the two 

 preceding years was 78°. The average maximum was 62° and 

 the minimum 49°, against 65° and 49° respectively for June, 1896. 



Vegetation, owing to the ungenial atmospheric conditions, did 

 not make much progress during the month. The foliage of most 



