( 343 ) 



December 6. A fall of snow ; very deep in some parts 

 of England. Winterly weather till i2th; then a thaw 

 and mild weather to end of year. 



Rainfall at Mere Down. January, r66 in. February, 

 1*98 in. March, 173 in. April, 5*41 in. May, 2*28 in. 

 June, 4*27 in. July, 5*62 in. August, 2-48 in. Septem- 

 ber, 3 '68 in. October, 679 in. November, 4*61 in. 

 December, 4-50 in. Total for the year, 45-01 in. (T. H. .) 



Rainfall at Ryehill, near Warminster, 43-04 in. (S. 

 Jefferys). 



The wettest year for 30 years. 



Average yield of wheat in western and south-western 

 counties, 23 bushels per acre ; barley, 29 bushels ; oats, 

 38 bushels. In eastern counties: Wheat, 28*4; barley, 

 34-8 ; oats, 51*8 bushels (Craigii). 



This autumn was so wet that in many districts no 

 wheat was sown, and a small breadth throughout the 

 country, estimated at f the usual quantity. Some corn 

 not harvested in late districts, and little clover seed was 

 ever secured (T. H. B\ 

 1883 Wheat 



Value of ;ioo tithe rent charge, ;ioo 45. q\d. 



January was a mild, damp month, without excessive 

 rainfall.^- February. Great floods till lyth; last few days 

 fine. March set in fine ; cold winds and sharp frosts 

 from 4th till end of month. All vegetation very forward 

 to 4th, then greens and grass cut up, and the country 

 looked barren. April. Fine spring weather, with warmer 

 nights the first week, then dry and cold. 6th. A peculiar 

 phenomenon after setting of the sun, a curious pillar of 

 light appeared in the west, and extended from the horizon 

 far up towards the zenith. May 10. Snow an inch deep. 



Rainfall at Mere Down. January, 3*15 in. February, 

 5*66 in. March, 1^34 in. April, 1*15 in. 



Cold backward spring. 



