METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1898. 325 
days thereafter the atmosphere was clear and mild, with occasional 
showers of rain. Strong south-west winds again prevailed on the 
14th and 15th, and from the 18th to the 25th there was a spell of 
frost accompanied by showers of snow. Thunder was heard on 
the 26th, and on the 28th there was a heavy shower of hail and sleet. 
Frost totalling 67° for thirteen mornings was registered during 
the month, while the average maximum temperature was 44°, and 
the average minimum was 33°, The total rainfall was 3:52 inches, 
and there were 11 dry days. 
Vegetation at the beginning of the month was in an advanced 
state, many deciduous shrubs were almost bursting into bud, and 
Rhododendron Nobleanum, Hort., showed the tint of its flowers, 
while the growth of grass was remarkable so early in the season, 
but it received a decided check by the prevalence of cold winds 
and frost in the latter part of the month. 
March.—The cold frosty weather of the closing days of February 
continued into this month with more or less severity until the 
10th, when, with a change of wind to the south-west, better 
weather conditions prevailed. On the 16th the weather became 
boisterous and unsettled, and continued so till the close of the 
month. The maximum (day) temperature averaged 46°, and the 
minimum (night) 34°. Frost was registered on ten mornings, 
amounting to 45°. Dense fog was experienced on the 8th. 
The highest reading of the barometer was on the 25th, 
when it reached 30°15 inches, after which it fell gradually to 
29°15 on the 29th, the lowest reading of the month. The rainfall 
was low for the month, only 1:65 inches being recorded, while 
there were 19 dry days. In the corresponding month in the two 
previous years the rainfall exceeded four inches. 
April.—The month opened with fine clear weather. Frost was 
registered on only one morning during the month, and the 
thermometer touched freezing point on but one other occasion. 
There were 21 dry days during the month, and the rain- 
fall was 1°65 inches. The average maximum temperature 
was 55°, and the average minimum 41°. The atmospheric 
pressure was comparatively steady throughout, the highest 
reading being 29:93 and the lowest 29°15. 
Owing to the genial character of the weather the most of the 
trees in the parks burst into leaf, and shrubs into flower, especially 
