
METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1898. 327 
brighter though still cold. Towards the end of the month the 
weather became warmer and more genial. There were 18 dry 
days, while a rainfall of 1:98 inches was registered. The average 
maximum temperature was 64°, and the average minimum 48", 
the former 2° higher, and the latter 1° lower than the means for 
corresponding month in 1897. The progress made by vegetation 
during the month was rather slow, and not at all in keeping with 
what is expected and generally experienced in June. The 
Laburnum, Elder, and late Rhododendrons, however, bloomed 
remarkably well. 
July.—This proved to be the warmest and driest month of the 
year. The weather was warm and bright throughout. There 
were 24 dry days in the month, and the rainfall was only 1:46 
inches. The thermometer in the shade was over 70° on seven 
days, while the average maximum and minimum were 67° and 
49°, the former being the same, and the latter 1° less than the 
means of July, 1897. The barometer was steady and high, 
ranging from 29°43 to 30:15. The bright sunshine and genial 
warmth, with occasional showers of rain, gave an impulse to 
vegetation, and there was a good growth on most plants—those in 
flower-beds in the parks blooming profusely and brilliantly. 
Produce and farm crops made great and satisfactory progress, the 
hay crop being harvested under favourable conditions, while the 
bulk and quality were generally good. 
August.—With the wind mostly from the south-west this 
month was somewhat rainy and changeable. The barometer was 
moderate and steady until towards the end of the month, when it 
fell considerably, and heavy rains were experienced. Some 
thunder was heard on the 16th, and on the 19th an easterly gale 
passed over the city. On the 23rd the wind again changed to the 
south-west, and the weather became warmer, with frequent showers 
of rain. The thermometer was highest at 76° on the 13th, and 
lowest at 41° on the 25th. The mean average temperatures— 
maximum 65°, minimum 51°—were lower than in the corresponding 
month of the previous year by 2° and 1° respectively. 
For a number of years the rainfall of the month of August has 
been somewhat high, and though less than the previous year the 
amount is considerable, 4‘77 inches being registered this year. 
There were only 15 dry days. 
