SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



51 



Table showing the amount of rain and melted snoio in inches 

 and hundredths at North Attleboro 1 , in 1853 and 1854, as 



kept by Henry Rice, Esq. : — 



Table of rain and melted snow in inches and hundredths 

 which fell at Princeton, 1854, as kept by Hon. John 

 Brooks : — 



At Cambridge, on an average of years, the greatest quantity 

 of rain falls in December, and the least in April. In the east- 

 ern part of England, near London, the greatest quantity falls 

 in October, and the least in March.* 



These tables show conclusively that the drought of the past 

 summer has not had its parallel for many years. Indeed, we 

 have no reliable records of one which can be compared with it. 

 Perhaps the famous drought of 17G2 was equal to it; possibly 

 that of 1749 was so; but we have no means of knowing with 

 certainty. 



But however this may be, it is highly desirable to ascertain 

 its effects upon the staple articles of food, for on these all de- 



* The average quantity of snow in inches and hundredths each month, for a term of 

 years, at Amherst and Boston, is as follows : — 



Total snow, 79.. 30 inches; rain and melted snow, 51.20. 



