206 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



Iii regard to the atmospheric pressure, the range was w T ider 

 and the readings more varied than those of previous year. The 

 two extremes were 30*75 inches on 23rd January and 28' 40 

 inches, on 20th February, or a range of 2*35 inches. In 1906 

 the range was exactly 2 inches, the highest reading being 30' 50 

 on 22nd January and the lowest 28'50 inches on 13th February. 



In regard to the winds, there was a greater preponderance 

 than usual from an easterly direction. Grouping them in two 

 divisions, the western is credited with 245 days and the eastern 

 with 120 days. In 1905 and 1906 the eastern had only 81 and 

 80 days respectively. 



Summarising the weather conditions for the year, the out- 

 standing features are the absence of severe frosts, an abnormal 

 rainfall in the latter part of the year, and an unusual prevalence 

 of easterly winds. Unfortunately, not having any sunshine 

 recorders in our parks, we are unable to tabulate the number of 

 hours the sun shone during the season. There is no doubt what- 

 ever that the comparative absence of sunshine was a most notable 

 feature of the weather of 1907. This want of sunshine was very 

 evident on vegetation in the spring and early summer months. 

 Growth was slower than usual, and from 10 to 20 days later. 

 The flow r ering of most trees and shrubs w r as of an unusually erratic 

 and of a meagre description in many cases, though as the season 

 advanced the development of shoots and foliage w-as satisfactory 

 enough. Still the absence of sun heat is evident, as there is a 

 decided lack of flower-buds on the majority of trees and shrubs, 

 and the promise of a display of bloom in garden, orchard, and 

 woodland is poor indeed. Rarely have farmers had such a trying 

 season. While cereals were sown under fairly satisfactory con- 

 ditions and the growth steady and good, the want of dry, sunny 

 weather retarded the ripening. This resulted in a late harvest- 

 ing, further aggravated by the heavy rains during October, 

 which caused serious delay and much damage to the grain. In 

 many districts, while the grain crops were above the average, 

 the inability to get them secured discounted the gain, and the 

 autumn of 1907 will long be remembered by agriculturists. Root 

 crops likewise suffered from the same causes, but of the two 

 leading crops turnips suffered most. There was the initial 

 difficulty in getting the seed sown, on account of the w T et con- 

 dition of the ground, especially on clay soils. The after-growth 

 was slow and unsatisfactory. Seldom indeed have turnip crops 



