METEOKOLOniCAL XOTES DURIXO THE TEAK 1904. 2S7 



With regard to the temperature, the averages are slightly 

 higher than those of the preceding year, more especially during 

 the spring and summer months. As a degree or two on the mean 

 temperature has a vital effect on vegetation, the importance of 

 higher averages in the " growing months " is obvious. 



The thermometer in the shade was at or below freezing point 

 (32° Fahr.) on 68 days, though actual frost was only recorded on 

 58 days to the extent in all of 246°, as compared with 286° on 

 48 days and the freezing point reached on 67 days in 1903. The 

 lowest reading was on the 11th December when 16° of frost were 

 registered. March was the coldest month, with 61° on 15 days. 

 It is somewhat remarkable that no frost was registered during 

 April, May, June, July. August, and September, while only 2° 

 were recorded for October. 



The warmest months were July and August. The former 

 had an average maximum of 64° and an average minimum of 

 51°, while the figures for the latter month were 63° and 52° 

 respectively. The warmest day was in July, when the ther- 

 mometer in shade indicated 75° on the 12th. The maximum 

 thermometer was at and above 70° on 11 occasions, against 3 

 times in 1903. 



The winds throughout the year were generally moderate, 

 though several severe gales occurred. The preponderance 

 of south-west winds, perhaps, was more marked than usual, 

 especially during the second half of the year. Excluding the 

 direct north and south which are less frequent, the western 

 group prevailed on 291 days, and the eastern 70 days. In 

 the preceding year the figures were 283 and 82 respectively. 



In regai'd to the atmospheric pressure, the range throughout the 

 year was exactly two inches. The highest reading was 30'50 inches 

 on the 22nd January, while the lowest reading was 28'50 inches 

 on the 13th February. The pressure, however, was uniformly 

 higher than that recorded for 1903, as during the year under 

 notice the barometer indicated 30-00 inches and over on 107 

 days, and 29 00 inches and under only on 16 days, against 71 

 days for the former, and 20 days for the latter in the preceding 

 year. 



In regard to the general effect of the weather on vegetation, 

 the abnormal rainfall of 1903 and the unsatisfactory growth made 



