1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. ix 



was in excess. The average precipitation at Springfield 

 for the month of May for forty-three years was 4.17 inches ; 

 for May, 1890, 5 36 ; a departure of + 1.19 inches. . 



The amount of sunshine was slightly below the normal. 

 The prevailing direction of the wind was south-west. Frosts 

 occurred on the 3d, 17th and 23d. Hail was general on the 

 28th. 



The weather for June was slightly below the normal, both 

 in temperature and precipitation. During the first half of the 

 month it was generally cold, with little sunshine, and with 

 precipitation above the average ; but the last half was much 

 warmer, with more sun and little rain. The average tem- 

 perature for the month of June at Springfield for twenty- 

 three years was 68.2° ; for June, 1890, 67.6° ; departure, 

 — 0.0°. The average temperature for the month of June 

 at Boston for twenty-three years was 6ti° ; average for June, 

 1890, 64.2°; departure, — 1.8°. 



The average precipitation for the month of June in 

 Springfield for forty-three years was 3.87 inches ; for June, 

 1890, 1.83; departure, — 2.04 inches. The average pre- 

 cipitation in Boston for the month of June for twenty years 

 was 3.29 inches; for June, 1890, 2.21; departure, — 1.08 

 inches. From the 4th to the 6th considerable rain fell. 

 This was followed by fair weather till the 11th, when there 

 was a marked rise in the temperature, and in some sections 

 frequent thunder storms. The wind changed to north-east 

 on the night of the 1 1th along the coast, and the tempera- 

 ture fell in some places about thirty degrees from noon of 

 the 11th to noon of the 12th. It continued low till the 

 16th, the lowest temperature of the month occurring from 

 the 13th to the 16th. Rain was almost continuous during 

 that time, and in some localities in the western part of the 

 State was the last rain of the month ; but in the south- 

 eastern part the showers were frequent, though compara- 

 tively little rain fell. High temperature occurred on the 

 18th, 25th and 30th, and the nights during the last two 

 weeks of the month were much warmer than at any time of 

 the season. The prevailing direction of the wind during 

 the month was west. 



The month of July was characterized by a severe drouth, 



