48 METEOROLOGICAL REPORT, 1872, BY THE 



the 5th to the 16th the weather was fine and fair, and favourable 

 to the growth of plums, pears, cherries, and other fruits. On 

 the 17th a change took place, severe cold N.E. winds prevailed 

 with snow and hail to the 28th. There was consequently much 

 destruction of fruit. 



Meldon, near Morpeth. — Prom the 4th to the 17th the wea- 

 ther was dry, but on the latter date rain came and continued 

 either to rain or snow for twelve days in succession. On the 21st 

 131 inches of rain fell, and on sixteen days either rain or snow 

 fell. 



"Wylam. — A fine cool month. 



May. — 



Mist in May, heat in June, 



Makes the harvest come right soon. 



— Old Proverb. 



Greenwich. — The mean temperature of May was 50'9°, being 

 1*7° lower than the average of 101 years. The daily range was 

 less than the average. 



The movements of the barometer were numerous but not of 

 great magnitude. The range of reading was one inch. 



The fall of rain was 0*9 inch in excess of the average. 



North Sunderland. — A few warm days at the beginning and 

 end of the month, otherwise the weather was very cold and un- 

 genial. 



"Wallington. — The bleak cold weather which characterised 

 May, and the strong N".E. winds which prevailed while the apple, 

 damson, and standard plum trees were in bloom, destroyed the 

 blossoms with but few exceptions. The rain, however, did most 

 damage, by washing off the pollen day after clay, and so prevent- 

 ing the fruit setting. The foliage of the trees and bushes was 

 very much blighted and afterwards dried up and fell off. 



Meldon, near Morpeth. — Prom the long continuance of rain 

 the cultivation of the land was a tedious task, and the farmers 

 got little done towards the sowing of their turnips. Prom April 

 the 17 th to May the 31st there were only twelve days on which 

 rain did not fall. 



