24 J. nOPKINSOlf EEPORT ON THE 



only at 6 of the 35 stations for which I have the daily rainfall, and 

 the other at 11, and the partial drought occurring only at 8 stations. 



The first absolute drought lasted for 20 days. May 5 to 24, at 

 one station (Fairhill, Berkhamsted) ; for 19 clays, May 6 to 24, 

 at one (Weston Park, Stevenage); for 18 days. May 7 to 24, at 

 one (Royston) ; and for 15 days, May 11 to 25, at three stations 

 (in the Lea river-basin) ; its average duration being 17 days. 



The second absolute drought lasted for 20 days, June 29 to 

 July 18, at eight stations (one in the Cam, one in. the Colne, and 

 six in the Lea river-basin); for 19 days, June 30 to July 18, at 

 two stations (in the Lea); and for 18 days, July 1 to 18, at one 

 station (High Down, Hitchin) ; its average duration being 19i days. 



The partial drought lasted for 29 days, June 20 to July 18, at 

 two stations; for 30 days, June 19 to July 18, at one of these 

 (Royston) ; for 30 days, June 25 to July 24, at six stations ; for 

 31 days, June 25 to July 25, at two of these; and for 43 days, 

 June 25 to August 6, at one of these (Much Hadham). With the 

 exception of Royston, all the stations with this partial drought are 

 in the river-basin of the Lea. Its average duration was 31^ days, 

 and the average rainfall was 0-0075 in. per day. 



Bistrihution of Rainfall throughout the Tear. — Of the total 

 rainfall of 24-87 inches, 8-38 ins. fell during the first quarter of 

 the year, 5-59 ins. during the second, 6-24 ins. dming the third, 

 and 4-66 ins. during the fourth. During the winter of 1896-97 

 (Dec. to Feb.) 8-48 ins. fell, during the spring of 1897 (March 

 to May) 6-73 ins., during the summer (June to August) 6-34 ins., 

 and during the autumn (Sept. to Nov.) 4-66 ins. March was very 

 wet, and August and December were also wet months ; July, 

 October, and i!^ovember were very dry; February, June, and 

 September were rather wet; April and May were rather dry. 

 The aggregate rainfall in the three wet months was nearly four 

 times as much as in the three dry ones. 



The difference in each month from the mean for the half-century 

 was as follows :— Jan. — 0-20, Feb. +0-87, March +2-08, April 

 —0-13, May —0-74, June +0-45, July — 1-77, August +0-68, 

 Sept. +0-02, Oct. —2-14, Nov. —1-56, Dec. +0-88. 



The absolute maximum falls in any one day in each month, and 

 the stations recording them, were — Jan. 8, Kensworth, 0-85 in. ; 

 Feb. 1, Northchurch, 1-13 in. ; March 17, New Barnet, 0-83 in. ; 

 April 28, The Firs, Hitchin, and 30, Great Gaddesden, 0-43 in. ; 

 May 31, Marden Hill, Tewin, 0-84 in. ; June 24, Colne Valley 

 Waterworks, Watford, r40in. ; July 26, Southgate, East Barnet, 

 2-57 ins. ; August 18, Weston Park, Stevenage, 1-54 in. ; Sept. 29, 

 Southgate, 1-21 in. ; Oct. 25, BulboiuTie, Tring, 0-34 in.; Nov. 28, 

 High Down, Hitchin, 0-54 in. ; Dec. 29, Oflside Cottage, Cowroast, 

 0-95 in. 



The day in each month on which a heavy fall of rain was most 

 general over the county was— Jan. 8, Feb. 4, March 2, April 17 

 (and 30), May 30, June 8, July 26, August 18 (and 30), Sept. 29, 

 Oct. 18, Nov. 27, Dec. 7. 



