32 e. mawley — phenological phenomena in 1893. 



The Autumn. 



The weather was moderately warm during September and 

 October, but in November there occurred frequent slight frosts at 

 night. Indeed, November was the first month which had been in 

 any way unseasonably cold for ten months. The second fb'ought of 

 the year, which set in during the second week in August, lasted 

 throughout September, and was more distressing to vegetation 

 generally than the previous one, owing to the greater dryness of 

 the subsoil. Between April 2nd and July 31st no rain-water at all 

 came through the 2-^ feet of uncropped soil in either of my percola- 

 tion-gauges. This may be regarded as the iirst drought of the 

 year. Again, in part of August and the whole of September, or 

 during the second drought, no measurable quantity of water passed 

 through either of these gauges. Pastures were again brown and 

 parched, the root- crops were at a standstill, apples and pears 

 ripened prematurely, and few flowers were to be seen in either 

 hedgerows or gardens. The frequent and heavy rains of October, 

 coming upon ground singularly warm for the time of year, the 

 whole aspect of the landscape was soon transformed. The pastures 

 became green again, the roots improved rapidly, and the land was 

 soon in splendid order for getting in the autumn com. The second 

 floweiing of many trees and shiTibs, as well as of some herbaceous 

 plants, was one of the most noteworthy features of this season, and 

 was almost everywhere noted. All wild fruits, except holly- 

 berries, were unus^^ally plentiful. 



The yield of the com crops of all kinds was much below the 

 average, but the grain, as a rule, proved of excellent quality. 

 Apples and pears yielded somewhat irregularly, but were on the 

 whole good crops. 



The last plant on the list, the ivy, came into flower about a 

 fortnight in advance of its average date. 



Swallows took their departure nearly a week earlier than in 

 1891, and more than three weeks earlier than in 1892. 



