METEOUOLOGICAL NOTES DURIXG THE YEAR 1904. 279 



was between 29-20 and 29-80 inches. A steady fall occurred 

 from the 11th to fne 15th, when the lowest reading for the 

 month, 29 20 inches, was recorded. A rapid rise followed, and on 

 the 19th and 21st 30-10 inches pressure was noted. The sharpest 

 fall was from the foregoing point to 29-50 inches on the 22nd. 

 After another slight rise the range was fairly even, witli a down- 

 ward tendency at the end of the month. 



No frost was registered, and only on the 2 1 st, did the tempera- 

 ture fall to freezing point (32° Fahr.). The average temperature 

 was 52° for the maxinmm und 42° for the minimum. 



The rainfall amounted to 4-64 inches, ihe heaviest for any 

 month of the year. There were only 6 dry days. 



Consequent on the absence of frost and the abundance of 

 atmospheric moisture, vegetation made good progress, and decidu- 

 ous trees and shrubs enfoliated rapidly during the month. Poplars 

 and Hawthorns leafed about the 15th, Elms, Beeches, Sycamores, 

 and Pyruses, about the 20th, followed a week later by Willows, 

 Alders, Limes, Birches, »tc. Of the flowering shrubs Ribes and 

 Forsythia were in bloom by the Sth ; Rhododendron Eugenie by 

 the 15th, and R. Cunninghami by the 30th. Narcissi on lawns 

 began blooming during the first week, while the garden varieties 

 were plentiful after the third week ; also Scillas, Muscari, 

 Chinodoxa, and Primroses in abundance. The grass on lawns and 

 in fields at the middle of the month was in brighter and better 

 condition than at any similar period during the past decade. 

 The sudden change of atmospheric conditions, however, had a 

 most disastrous effect on many Alpine and sub-Alpine plants 

 which had safely withstood the ti-ying winds of March. The 

 damping off of many subjects, especially those with pilose foliage, 

 was more serious than what has been experienced in gardens for 

 many years, and the loss of stock of many species was somewhat 

 disastrous. 



May. — The weather during the first three weeks was very 

 changeable — generally wet and cold, with frequent showers of 

 hail and high winds. Occasionally the days were bright and 

 sunny, but in the evenings the air became very chilly. Towards 

 the end of the month the atmospheric conditions improved, and 

 milder and more summer-like weather was experienced. 



