572 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Sept., 1917. 



Victorian Kainfall — continiied. 



N.B.— 100 joints = 1 inch. 



The rainfall during April, over the northern portions of the State, 

 was very scanty, and at many places in the Mallee no rain whatever 

 fell. In Gippsland, and more especially the eastern areas where some 

 heavy falls occurred the results were much above the average, and the 

 coastal districts also fared well. Temperatures were unusually low and 

 frosts frequent. As many disturbances of an Antarctic character visited 

 the State during May, bringing with them showery weather, the whole 

 of Victoria participated in the rains, and totals well above average were 

 experienced. More especially was this the case in the North-East and 

 Wimmera districts, where rains were recorded on almost every day in 

 the month. As the mice plague was still as severe as ever, particularly 

 in the north, seeding operations were being postponed, as experience has 

 proved that it is useless to sow as the mice destroy the seed almost as 

 soon as it is so'\vn. Stock were in splendid condition owing to the 

 abundance of grass still available and the new growth produced by recent 

 rains, and as lambing percentages everywhere were excellent, the pros- 

 pects with regard to the much desired increase in flocks were all that 

 could be desired in this direction. The June rains were again heavy in 

 the north-east and north, and the weather was too wet to be appreciated, 

 the excessive rains causing severe floods; all the rivers running high, 

 and some of them much over the danger level. In the Wimmera, Western, 

 and in Eastern Gippsland the rainfall was below the normal, and in the 

 former district more rain was badly needed, as crop prospects were not 

 encouraging. Stock generally were in good condition, excepting in 

 Gippsland, Avhere they were only fair. 



H. H. Hunt, 

 Commonwealth Meteorologist. 



