MADE IN THE GARDEN OF THE SOCIETY. 133 



General Observations. 



January. — The mean temperature of the month was about 2*^ 

 above the average, S.W. winds being prevalent. The quantity 

 of rain was, however, nearly double the usual amount ; much 

 fell on the 11th, 18th, and 19th. The mean height of the baro- 

 meter was considerably below the average. It fluctuated nearly 

 an inch between the morning of the 20th and that of the 21st. 

 The 20th, 26th, and 27th were very boisterous. 



February. — The mean temperature was 6h° below the average. 

 On the night of the 11th, which was exceedingly clear, the com- 

 mon thermometer was 3'^, and the radiating thermometer as much 

 as 9^ below zero. Rain and melted snow amounted to little more 

 than half the usual quantity for the month. The barometer stood 

 above the average. 



March. — The mean temperature of the month was about 4^'^ 

 below the average. Many gardening operations were retarded 

 in consequence of the frost. On the 18th, the soil was found to 

 be frozen to the depth of 5 inches in recently dug ground in the 

 kitchen garden, but where not recently stirred previously to the 

 frost setting in, the frozen crust was between 7 and 8 inches 

 thick ; hence it must be inferred that plants in severe weather 

 are more liable to suffer in compact than in loose soil. On the 

 15th clouds were observed moving in difl^erent strata, the lower, 

 briskly, from N.E. to S.W. ; the upper, slowly, from S.AY. to 

 N.E. Snow commenced to fall on tlie 16th in small granular 

 particles. 



April. — Owing to the very fine weather in the end of the 

 month, the mean temperature was 1° above the average ; but 

 sharp frosts occurred in the first week, the thermometer on the 

 8th being as low as 23°. The amount of rain was more than 

 half an inch below the average. There were no continuous 

 heavy rains. A rainbow was observed on the morning of the 

 14th, very low, the central part of the arch being estimated at 

 not more than 5° of elevation. The day and following night 

 proved boisterous. 



May. — The general character of this month was wet and 

 cold. The temperature was 4° below the average ; and the 

 amount of rain was an inch above the usual quantity. North 

 winds were unusually prevalent. A sharp frost for the period 

 of the season occurred on the 5th, the thermometer indicating 5° 

 below freezing, whilst the radiating one was 10° below that point. 

 On the 6th, a heavy shower of rain and hail fell between 5 and 

 6 P.M., and there was also a heavy shower of hail on the 7th. 

 On the 10th there was thunder, i to 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and between 

 5 and 6 p.m. 



