148 WEATHER AND NATURE NOTES. 
OCTOBER. 
A very dry September was followed by a very wet Octo- 
ber. With the exceptions of 1903 and 1909, this was the 
wettest October during the last 23 years. Rain, less or more, 
fell on nearly every day, the total being 7.81 inches. There 
were some high winds, and occasional frost at night. The 
barometer record of the month was in keeping with the 
‘inclement weather experienced. On the evening of the 3oth 
the reading was 28.8 inches. On only eleven days did it rise 
to 30 inches. There was sunshine at 9 a.m. on 13 days. The 
daily mean temperature in the shade was 44.53 degrees; this 
is about 4 degrees below normal. There were several very 
stormy days, with heavy rain and high wind. There was 
thunder, with heavy thunder showers, on the 7th. Near the 
end of the month there were a few fine mild autumn days. 
We heard of several farms in this district where the harvest 
was not finished in September, but the weather of October 
was such that nothing could be done, and the stooks were 
in a bad state. Potato lifting was also much hindered by 
the stormy weather and the wet state of the ground. The 
crop turned out very disappointing. Not only was the crop 
light, but there was a great deal more disease than we have 
had for many years. It was noticed that the shaws of some 
varieties went down very early, before the tubers were 
matured. The reports from most of the districts throughout 
the country confirm the opinion that the crop is far below 
the normal. The last swallow seen was on the 15th, fifteen 
days later than in 1915. The leaving or the swallows was 
rather unusual and interesting. Large flocks went away 
about the beginning of the month; a few were seen daily until 
the 4th; no more were seen for several days. Then a number 
returned again on a few evenings; then they were not seen 
again for several days. A number were again seen on the. 
15th. The reason for their being absent for several days and 
again returning I do not know. 
NOVEMBER. 
From the ist till the 1oth there was some rather stormy 
weather, with thunder and heavy rain. The direction of the 
