( XV ) 



first nine days. The nights were also very cold and rain fell 

 copiously throughout the first two weeks. On the 10th of the month 

 a sudden change to heat set in, continuing till the 28th day, during 

 which time the weather was unusually fine and very hot for the 

 .season, and but little rain fell. This sudden drying weather much 

 impeded spring operations, particularly in agriculture, which was 

 generally in a backward state. The budding of trees was in 

 general late, but the backward fruit-trees, &c., burst at once into 

 leaf and blossom. On the 29th of April a cold ungenial period set 

 in, continuing to the 1st of June, with only an occasional day of 

 somewhat warmer character intervening. The mean daily deficiency 

 of temperature during this time amounted to 3°*1, and at night the 

 thermometer frequently fell to below 32°. 



This weather seriously affected all the crops and ciit off" much of 

 the blossom from fruit-trees. The growth of wheat, barley, and 

 oats was much retarded, although on some very rich lands the 

 cereal crops had in a measure recovered by the end of May. Pasture 

 land made little or no progress, and rain was much required. 



On .Time 2ud the Aveather again changed and became much warmer, 

 and a mean daily excess over the aveiage temperature occiined to 

 the amount of 4°'2 till the 11th day. A similar cold period followed, 

 but on the 21st day the temperature again increased considerably, 

 and fine weather followed till the end of the quarter, the mean daily 

 excess of temperature amounting to nearly 5°. By this time the 

 crops were generally in a pretty favourable condition. Hay-making 

 had progressed well, though somewhat below the average in quantity. 

 There were some fears that the wheat crop would be light. Potatoes 

 were promising, and free from disease. 



