METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1898. 327 



brighter though still cold. Towards the end of the month the 

 weather became warmer and more genial. There were 18 dry 

 davs, while a rainfall of 1-98 inches was registered. The average 

 maximum temperature was 64°, and the average minimum 48°, 

 the former 2° higher, and the latter 1' lower than the means for 

 corresponding month in 1897. The progress made by vegetation 

 during the month was rather slow, and not at all in keeping with 

 what is expected and generally experienced in June. The 

 Laburnum, Elder, and late Rhododendrons, however, bloomed 

 remarkably well. 



July. — This proved to be the warmest and driest month of the 

 year. The weather was warm and bright throughout. There 

 were 24 dry days in the month, and the rainfall was only 1*46 

 inches. The thermometer in the shade was over 70° on seven 

 days, while the average maximum and minimum were 67° and 

 49°, the former being the same, and the latter 1° less than the 

 means of July, 1897. The barometer was steady and high, 

 ranging from 29-43 to 30*15. The bright sunshine and genial 

 warmth, with occasional showers of rain, gave an impulse to 

 vegetation, and there was a good growth on most plants — those in 

 flower-beds in the parks blooming profusely and brilliantly. 

 Produce and farm crops made great and satisfactory progress, the 

 hay crop being harvested under favourable conditions, while the 

 bulk and quality were generally good. 



August. — With the wind mostly from the south-west this 

 month was somewhat rainy and changeable. The barometer was 

 moderate and steady until towards the end of the month, when it 

 fell considerably, and heavy rains were experienced. Some 

 thunder was heard on the 16th, and on the 19th an easterly gale 

 passed over the city. On the 23rd the wind again changed to the 

 south-west, and the weather became warmer, with frequent showers 

 of rain. The thermometer was highest at 76^^ on the 13th, and 

 lowest at 41° on the 25th. The mean average temperatures — > 

 maximum 65°, minimum 51° — were lower than in the corresponding 

 month of the previous year by 2° and 1' respectively. 



For a number of years the rainfall of the month of August has 

 been somewhat high, and though less than the previous year the 

 amount is considerable, 4 "7 7 inches beincj registered this vear. 

 There were only 15 dry days. 



