.THE SPRING AND SUMMER OF 1893 AT COLWYN BAY. 271 
the bulb encased in paraffin and contained in a copper cylinder, 
were as follows :— 
° °o 
January 2nd == 348 June 2nd = 580 
372 Tagthe c= 9 5"1 » 5th = 65°0 
Februaryznd = 42°5 July ist = 63:0 
» 5th = 42°0 yori sth = 61°3 
March 1st = 39'0 August 2nd = 634 
4is a7th = 44°0 yp agth! oye BB:3 
April ist = 50°0 September ist == 62°0 
set epee = 50°2 A 15th = 60°2 
May znd —==15 9-5 
» 22nd = 55°8 
It is clear from the above figures, when compared with the 
periods of rainfall and temperature, that the former of these 
agents has the principal effect in determining the temperature 
of the earth. Only 016 inch rain fell between August 6th and 
18th, which comprised also the hottest period of the summer. 
The loosening of the earth, however, in digging up the 
thermometer, makes it easier for the rain to penetrate, and thus 
detracts from the value of the observations as a true indication 
of the underground temperature. The highest underground 
(one foot) temperature recorded in 1892,.was 62° on July 4th; 
and in 1891, 59° on August 1st, but in this year observations 
were only made once a month. 
Sea temperature was unfortunately seldom taken. On April 
sth it was 46°; May 13th, 55°; July 22nd, 62°; Sept. 12th, 60°. 
In all cases these were taken at the bottom, from 5 feet to 
12 feet below surface. 
Crops.—The crops of Wheat, Barley, and Oats have been 
very fair, and in some cases very good as regards grain, but the 
Straw, as might be expected, has been generally rather short. 
Swedes and Turnips have done much better than could have 
been expected, the crops being as a rule fair, especially when 
sown rather late in June. The early-sown Swedes suffered 
much from mildew. ‘The Potato crop has been good. Unfor- 
tunately the most important crop of all—that of Hay—was very 
poor; a serious matter in a pastoral district like ours. 
On the other hand, the crops of fruit were extraordinarily 
abundant, more especially of all kinds of stone fruit. In an 
experience of twenty-five years I have never seen anything 
approaching the quantities of Plums, Apricots, and Peaches. 
Cherries were also abundant, but not more so than last year. 
There were also excellent crops of Strawberries, Currants, and 
Gooseberries, but the last suffered much from the attacks of Red 
Spider and the larva of the Currant Moth (Aédraxas grossularia.) 
With regard to Pears and Apples in my own garden, the 
