122 J. HOPKINSON REPORT ON THE 



duration, or "partial" of more than 28 days — occun-ed in the 

 months of July, August, and September. The first absolute drought 

 was in July, at ten stations, and lasted for 1 9 days, July 2 to 20, 

 at two stations; for 18 days, June 30 to July 17, at one station; 

 for 1 7 days, July 2 to 18, at two stations ; and for 1 6 days, July 2 

 to 17, at five stations; its average duration being 17 days. The 

 second absolute drought was in September, at 31 stations, and was 

 therefore much more general over the county than the first. It 

 lasted for 23 days, August 30 to September 21, at one station 

 (Broxbourne) ; for 19 days, August 30 to Sept. 17, at nineteen 

 stations; for 18 days, August 31 to Sept. 17, at ten stations; and 

 for 17 days, August 31 to Sept. 16, at one station; its average 

 duration being 19 days. 



There was a partial di'ought at all stations for 32 days, August 17 

 to September 17, with an average of 0-008 inch of rain per diem. 

 At thirty stations it lasted for 44 days, with 0-007 inch per diem. 

 Partly overlapping this there was also at thirteen stations a partial 

 drought for 45 days, August 30 to October 13, with an average of 

 0-008 inch of rain per diem. At Odsey the partial di'ought was 

 prolonged over both these periods, only 0-58 inch of rain having 

 fallen in the 59 days, August 16 to October 13. 



Bistrihition of the Rainfall throughout the Year. — Of the total 

 rainfall of 19-39 inches, 3-04 inches fell during the first quarter of 

 the year, 5-92 inches during the second, 2-63 inches during the 

 third, and 7-80 inches during the fourth. During the winter of 

 1897-98 (Dec. to Feb.) 4-64 inches fell, dimng the spring of 18P8 

 (March to May) 5-49 inches, during the summer (June to August) 

 3-89 inches, and during the autumn (Sept. to jN'ov.) 5-57 inches. 

 May, October, and December were wet months, November was rather 

 wet, but below the average, January and September were very dry, 

 February and July were chy, and March, April, June, and August 

 were rather dry. The aggregate rainfall in the four wet months 

 was three and a half times as much as in the four diy ones. 



The difi'crence in each month from the mean for the half-century 

 was as follows: — Jan. — 1-58, Feb. — 0-66, March —0-35, April 

 —0-28, May +0-60, June— 0-41, July —1-56, August— 1-12, 

 Sept. —2-00, Oct. —0-09, Ts'ov. —0-27, Dec. +0-68. 



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

 the stations recording them, were — Jan. 5, Kensworth, 0-48 in. ; 

 Feb. 5, Moor Park, Eickmansworth, 0-28 in. ; March 24, Fanhams 

 Hall, Ware, 0-84 in. ; April 27, London Eoad, Royston, 0-49 in. ; 

 May 19, Desmond Cottage, Bennington, 0-92 in. ; June 9, Miich 

 Hadham, 0-67 in. ; July 28, Rothamsted, Hai-penden, 0-77 in. ; 

 August 7, Southgate, 0-60 in. ; Sept. 29, Pendley Manor, Tring, 

 0-66 in. ; Oct. 29, Red House, Ware, M7 in. ; Nov. 23, Bulbourne, 

 Tring, 0-97 in. ; Dec. 6, London Road, Royston, 1-07 in. 



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

 general over the county was — Jan. 5, Feb. 5 (and 18), March 26, 

 April 27, May 19, June 24, July 28, August 7, Sept. 29, Oct. 29, 

 Nov. 23 (and 25), Dec. 6. 



