xxxii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, [Pub. Doc. 



the normal. The cold wave ot the 8th, i)th and 10th was 

 of marked intensity, the temperature records in many sec- 

 tions breaking all previous records for that portion of the 

 month. The mercury fell to zero in all sections, and for a 

 large portion of the State the temperature readings Avere the 

 lowest of authentic record. At Boston the lowest temper- 

 ature was 8° below zero, which is the lowest of record for 

 the fii'st fifteen days of December within the period of offi- 

 cial records, covering fifteen years. The preei})itation, 

 mostly in the form of snow, was fully up to the average, 

 and in many instances it exceeded the monthly normal. 

 Severe gales were experienced along the coast, resulting in 

 more or less damage to shipping and some loss of life. 

 There was less than the average amount of sunshine, more 

 than half of the days of the month being cloudy, with rain 

 or snow. The month will go on record as one of the most 

 severe of its name. 



