THE CLIMATE OF TORONTO 
The coldest March was that of 1885, with a mean 
temperature of 18°, this following one of the coldest 
winters on record. 
April is a month of much bright sunshine, which 
averages 193 hours, and the rainfall is less than in 
any other month of the year. Owing, however, to 
the position of Toronto upon the shores of Lake 
Ontario, winds off the lake, which in winter some- 
what temper the climate, now retard the upward 
trend of temperature, and vegetation makes rather 
slow progress. Up to the 20th light falls of snow 
may also occur, but this snow is quickly melted. 
After the 20th there is usually a marked improve- 
ment in the weather conditions, vegetation then mak- 
ing more rapid strides, and the swallows and insects 
become numerous. The date of seeding varies with 
the drying of the ground and will often be quite 
early in the month, but it is seldom general until the 
20th. At this date, also, violets and a few other 
_ wild flowers are found in the woods, and elm and 
poplar are usually in bloom. 
The three warmest Aprils were those of 1844, 
1878, and 1895—that of 1878 was exceptionally 
warm, with a mean temperature of 49°.2, but 3°.2 
lower than the temperature of a normal May. Occa- 
sionally very high thermometer readings are recorded 
towards the end of this month, the highest record 
being 89°.9 on the 22nd, 1842. 
May.—By the first of May the somewhat fre- 
quent cool periods, which retard growth in plant life 
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