10 July, 1916.] Victorian RainfaU. 441 



of green grass; but, as stxjck was exceptioually dear, and the priceb 

 fabulous — as much as £20 being demanded for milch cows — the replenish- 

 ing of the herds and flocks could not be undertaken, except by the 

 hnancially strong class. 



March was a dry month, at some places north of the Divide an 

 entire absence of ram was noticeable. In fact, East Gipjjslanders were 

 the only ones to benefit during the period ; the rains in this part o^ 

 the State either exceeded or approximated to average conditions. They 

 were the results of thunderstorms, and were higiily appreciated, as 

 stock maintained their j)revious high standard of excellence in condition, 

 and the potato, maize, and other summer crops showed splendid results, 

 and dairying operations were ideal. In the Mallee, the absence of 

 rain in any appreciable quantity during this month, and its predecessor, 

 had a bad effect on the pastures ; and in the Wimmera, stock were 

 generally falling off in condition, and water was becoming scarce. Else- 

 whei-e, stock were fat, but inland rivers had ceased to flow and the supply 

 of water was diminishing — Gippsland being the exception. Record 

 yields of fruit of exceptionally good quality were being obtained every- 

 where. 



H. A. Hunt, 

 Commonwealth Meteorologist. 



29.4.16. 



WALL PAPERS THAT DESTROY LIGHT. 



People are constantly asking Avhat is the best colour for wall 

 paper or hangings. The following table will give the fullest particulars. 

 Common wall papers were tested recently in an illuminating laboratory 

 for their light-absorbing qualities, with the following results : — 



Pcrcontivgc of 

 Wall paper.'!, liKlit iilisorbi'd. 



White . . . . . . . . 30 



Chrome yelloAv . . . . . . .'18 



Orange . . . . . . . . ."iO 



Plain deal . . . . . . 55 



Yellow . . . . . . . . 60 



Light pink . . . . . . 64 



Emerald green . . . . . . 82 



Dark brown . . . . 87 



Vermilion . . . . . . 88 



Blue-green . . . . . . 88 



Cobalt-blue . . . . . . 88 



Deep chocolate . . . . . . 06 



This table shows that if a rnnin papered with dark green be rc- 

 papercd with chrome yellow, it will 1)C four times as light with the sajue 

 lamps and window.^. Tn many case.i hou.'^iehnhlcrs j)ay too much for 

 electricity and fin>i lighting because their light-ahsorhing wall coverings 

 destroy the light rays. 



