440 Journal of Agricidtiire. Victo7'ia. [10 July, 1916. 



Victorian Rainfall — continued. 



N.B.— 100 points = 1 inch. 



Dry ccnditions prevailed generally during the first three weeks of 

 January, but the latter end of the month witnessed some very heavy 

 falls, rains of a widespread character falling throughout the State. In 

 the Mallee these rains hindered the harvesting operations, but in the 

 Central, South, and Western Districts their effect was decidedly advan- 

 tageous with regard to the potatoes, summer fodders, and orchards. With 

 few exceptions, the harvesting results equalled or exceeded anticipations, 

 and in the neighbourhood of Lismore, in the west, the average yields 

 were estimated at 25 bushels per acre; and in parts of the Wimmera, 

 42 bushels were obtained. All the available stock were in exceedinglv 

 good condition owing to the abundance of food, but the general regret 

 of the farmer was that he had insufficient stock to eat down the prolific 

 herbage. In Gippsland the early rains were exceedingly beneficial, and 

 arrived most opportunely, and in time to resurrect the late-sown maize, 

 and also the potato crop. 



Very little rain occurred in the ^lallee and Wimmera during 

 February, but in the North-East and Gippsland, some heavy falls were 

 experienced, due mostly to monsoonal conditions; and some very 

 heavy thunderstorms, especially in Central and ISTorth-East, took 

 place. These rains had a beneficial effect on the maize and, potatr 

 crops, promoting vigorous growth, and insuring more than a sufficiencv 



