METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1902. 31 



during the first three weeks, but from some unexplainable cause 

 less freely than usual. This peculiarity was noticeable in the 

 same varieties growing on the lawns as well as in the garden 

 borders. 



May. — With a preponderance of cold northerly winds, the 

 weather conditions during the month were extremely unseason- 

 able. There was a want of the genial softness which usually 

 characterises the weather of May. During the earlier part of 

 the month there were frequent touches of frost, with very little 

 rain. The latter half was more changeable, with frequent showers 

 and high winds ; a destructive easterly gale being experienced 

 on the 30th and 31st. 



The barometric chart shows a wide variation of the atmos- 

 pheric pressure during the month. On the 3rd it was 29*30 

 inches, rising rapidly to 30*20 inches on the 8th. For a few 

 days the fall was steady, then more sharply from the 15th till, on 

 the 17th, it was at 29 00 inches, predicting the heavy rain which 

 fell on the 18th. A sharp rise followed, till on the 24rh it was 

 up to 30-20 inches, then dropping again quickly to 29-20 inches 

 on the 28th, another rise brought it to 29-70 inches on the 31st. 

 These rapid changes correctly indicate the changeable nature of 

 the weather. 



The minimum thermometer in shade was at or below freezing 

 point on four occasions, and 4° of frost were registered. It may 

 be noted, as showing the want of warmth on the earth's surface, 

 that the radiating thermometer on the grass was below freezing- 

 point no less than 21 times, and that a total of 150° of frost was 

 there recorded. This frost, whilst not seriously injuring ordinary 

 plants, effectively checks favourable development. The average 

 maximum temperature was 53°, and the average minimum 39°, 

 compared with 62° and 40° respectively for May, 1901 — a marked 

 difference ! 



The rainfall amounted to 2*15 inches, the greatest fall for one 

 day being 030 on the 27th. There were thirteen dry days. 



The prolonged cold weather was extremely prejudicial to the 

 proper development of plant growth. The majority of deciduous 

 trees and shrubs bore abundance of blossom, which, unfortunately, 

 between wind and frost, got so damaged that the display was 



