( III ) 



METEOEOLOGY. 



During the first three weets of July the weather was unsettled ; 

 the temperature of the air was alternately in excess and defect. 

 Eain fell frequently between the 6th and the 18th of July all over 

 the British Islands, and some complaints were heard of mildew in 

 the crops. The potato crop which had needed moisture became very 

 promising after the rain. About the 20th of July the weather became 

 clear and dry — a change which proved most beneficial to the growing 

 as well as to the maturing crops. Till the 30th day the temperature 

 was in excess to the amount of 2° daily. On the 31st the weather 

 changed again to cold and wet : harvest-work was a good deal in- 

 terrupted. In the first week of August indications of the potato 

 disease were seen both in Ireland and England. The weather con- 

 tinued unsettled, rain fell heavily in various parts of the country, 

 and the deficiency of temperature amounted to 3° daily. Harvest- 

 work was stopped for several days together, and much uneasiness 

 was felt about the crops, of which by far the larger portion in the 

 United Kingdom was still standing. The potato crop also displayed 

 increased symptoms of disease. On the 2uth the weather improved 

 a little, and there were intei'vals of bright sunshine. From the 20th 

 day to the end of the month the temperature was in excess to the 

 amount of one degree daily. The month of August was very un- 

 favourable to the crops. 



With September came an auspicious change : the temperature was 

 high, there was but little cloud, either night or day ; the sun shone 

 with great brilliancy, harvest-work proceeded simultaneously over 

 England, Ireland, and Scotland. In many places very little rain 

 fell, not amounting in the whole month to one-tenth of an inch ; the 



