MADE IxN THE GARDEN OF THE SOCIETY. 139 



General Observations. 



January, — The weather was in general remarkably fine for 

 the period of the season, and operations in the open air were 

 carried on with less interruption than is usually experienced in 

 the winter months. Although the quantity of rain amounted to 

 nearly double the average for the month, yet it mostly fell in the 

 nights ; the days were often exceedingly fine. The wind was 

 from north-east one day, and from west two daj's ; in all the rest 

 of the month it came from the warmer quarters of soutli, south- 

 east, and south-west, and owing to this the mean temperature was 

 fully 2° above the average. 



February. — The day temperature of this month was equal to 

 the average, but that of the nights was 3^° colder than usual. 

 Tlie night temperatures averaged 4° lower than those of the 

 preceding month. The barometer stood above the average height. 

 The quantity of rain was less than an inch, or little more than 

 half the usual quantity. Some sleet fell on the 27th ; but 

 throughout the month the ground was not at any time whitened 

 by snow. On the whole the weather was very favourable for 

 all out-door operations. 



March. — The first week was fine ; but from the 9th to the end 

 of the month there were only six days in which rain did not fall. 

 The amount of rain was fully 3^ inches, or upwards of 2 inches 

 above the average. The bai'ometer was generally low during 

 the last three weeks, and remarkably so on the evening of the 

 22nd. Westerly winds were prevalent. The average mean tem- 

 perature was nearly maintained. The morning of the 14th was 

 frosty with slight fog ; heavy clouds formed during the day ; the 

 evening was hazy, and at night nearly 1 inch of rain fell. A 

 mock-sun was observed between 6 and 7 a.m. on the 29th ; the 

 forenoon proved boisterous, showery, with sunny intervals ; and 

 one-third of an inch of rain fell between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. 



April. — The amount of rain was exactly equal to the average. 

 The mean temperature was 2|° below the average, and tiiis 

 may be attributed to the prevalence of north, north-east, and 

 north-west winds. Fourteen nights were more or less frosty. 

 Peaches and nectarines on walls suffered much, especially in 

 gardens where no protection was afforded. In the Society's 

 Garden fair crops of these fruits were saved by means of coping- 

 boards, projecting about 9 inches. The last week of the month 

 was very inclement. On the 27th there Mas a hail-shower be- 

 tween 5 and 6 p.m. ; the stones were large, but not very hard ; 

 lightning was seen in the evening. On the afternoon of the 29th 

 thunder was heard, and soon after large hail began to fall ; the 



