METEOROLOGICAL NOTES FOR 1883. 83^ 



magnificent blossom during the early part of the 

 month. There had been no severe check on them 

 during the sjDring months to blight their buds ; and 

 consequently, when the warm Aveather of June came 

 on, their beauty was seen to full advantage. 



July proved to be rather a wet month. Rain fell 

 on 16 days, and the total rainfall amounted to 3'48 

 inches, or nearly an inch more than the previous 

 month. Nevertheless, the temperature still continued 

 to rise, and the average of the month ^vas 58*1. 

 This high temperature, combined witli so much 

 moisture in the atmosphere, stimulated the growth 

 of vegetation in a very marked degree, and there 

 was every promise of an abundant harvest. The 

 foliage on trees and shrubs was to be seen during 

 this month to perfection. Tlie s])ring had been 

 especially favourable for foliage, and the high tem- 

 perature and moisture of this and the previous- 

 months had perfected it in a i-emarkable degree. 



The month of August began most unfavourably^ 

 and the first iDart of it ^vas very wet. The total 

 rainfall was very large — 4:'2l inches -and rain fell on 

 13 days during the month. Towards the middle of 

 the month, however, the weather became more settled, 

 and the latter half was especially fine. The crops^ 

 were well matured, and altogether there was every 

 prospect of an abundant and prosperous harvest. 

 In some quarters, where the rainfall had not been 

 so heavy in the early part of the month, harvest- 

 ing operations were begun towards the last week, 

 but they were not by any means general. The 

 display of flowers in the various i)arks and squares 

 was very good, certainly above the average. The 

 average temperature was high : 58' ; and the preva- 

 lent winds were from the south-west. 



Sej)tember was really a good harvest month, with 

 the exception of the last 10 days, which were wet, when 

 3*47 inches of rain fell. Farmers, however, had had 

 a clear month of good weather — taking into account 

 the latter half of August — to secure their crops,. 



