Miscellaiuoiis Commitnications. 489 



the south and west, and as a consequence it has been comparatively 

 mild, with a moderate rainfall, but a large proportion of dull or 

 sunless days. Hardy vegetation is in a forward state, and neither 

 sharp frosts nor withering winds occurred ; it is likely to be a 

 good fruit season. 



Rihes sarurtdnewn and the Japan Quince had expanded leaves 

 at the end of the month, while the leaves of the Balsam Poplar, 

 common Lilac, Eleeagniis argenteus, had foliage half-developed, and 

 which is an early date for these plants here. Hardy perennials 

 are also early above ground. 



April. — The temperature fell below the freezing point twelve 

 times during the month. The lowest reading was 4° diu'ing the 

 night of the 12th. The total readings were only 17°. A large 

 number of fine and dry days are recorded, but of these many were 

 comparatively surdess here, cold winds were very prevalent, and 

 from all points of the compass. The rainfall was light. 



All forms of plant life are better for the little retardation, so 

 that, notwithstanding the mild winter, the spring is not an unusu- 

 ally early one, the only plants which are in a more forward state 

 than usual are those which are capable of existence, and even 

 flourish, after the most rigorous winters, ^[any deciduous trees 

 and shrubs are not showing so much bloom as was anticipated ; 

 but it is yet early to judge of fruit prospects, the bloom being 

 yet in an embryo state. 



May. — The month as a whole was fine and favourable for 

 garden work of all kinds. Xo frost was registered during the 

 month, the lowest reading was 37° during the night of the 30th, 

 consequently vegetation has grown steadily on, and the foliage of 

 the early leafing trees is very fine. Although the mean night 

 temperature of the month closely corresponds with that recorded 

 for May last year, the day readings were much lower, particularly 

 in the sun. Considerably the highest day readings in the shade 

 were 68° and 67"" on the 23rd and 24th, the highest in the sun 

 was 86° on the 23rd. The numerous cool nights and sunless days 

 had the effect of keeping late-leafing trees, such as the ash, in 

 a backward state, and all kinds of trees are prolific of bloom. 

 Great numbers of hardy herbaceous plants are early in bloom, but 

 annuals are very backward. 



June. — The month was remarkable for the cold, wet, and sunless 

 weather experienced here througliout. In looking over my daily 

 notes, I find only one really fine sunny day recorded, i.e., the 29th, 

 and even on that day we had rain early in the morning and late at 

 night. The highest temperature in the shade was 68°, and in the 

 sun 86°, the latter being the highest reading since May 23, when 



