170 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



days alternated with others in which the weather was very broken and 

 unsettled. 



On the whole, westerly winds were the most prevalent, although over 

 the southern counties easterly winds were not infrequent. Temperature 

 was generally slightly above the average, but there were many exceptions 

 to this rule in the Midlands and south of England. In most places 

 the range of temperature was of moderate extent. Rainfall was below 

 the normal amount everywhere, except in the north of Scotland, and the 

 month was unusually dry ; especially was this the case over the north- 

 east of England, in parts of which only one-fourth of the usual amount 

 of rain fell. Sunshine, on the other hand, was generally a good deal above 

 the average, the totals averaging something like an hour per day more 

 than the usual amount. 



Observations made at Wisley : 



Mean temperature of the air in shade 





38°.3 





Highest „ „ „ ... 





T>4°.7 on the 6th 



Lowest ,, 





20°.4 



n 2nd 



Lowest „ on the grass 





9°.0 



„ 2nd 





At l ft. 



At 2 ft. 



At 4 ft. 





deep. 



deep. 



deep. 



Mean temperature of the soil at 9 a.m 



37°.4 



39°.7 



42°.8 



Highest 



44°.l 



43°.8 



44°.o 



Lowest „ „ „ 



34°.3 



37°.l 



40°.5 



Mean relative humidity of the air at 9 a.m. (complete saturation being 



represented by 100) 88 



Rain fell on 11 days to a total depth of ... ... ... ... ... 1*08 in. 



(Equivalent to about 5 gallons of water per square yard.) 



Heaviest fall on any day 0 74 in. on the ICth 



The prevailing winds were westerly. 



The average velocity of the wind was 7 miles per hour. 



There were 78 hours of bright sunshine, equal to 31 per cent, of the total possible 

 amount. 



Sunshine was registered on 22 days. 



February. — There was a marked contrast between the weather of the 

 first three weeks of this month and that of its closing days, the former 

 period being mild and dry, whilst throughout the latter there were strong 

 cold winds, with rain and in some districts occasional hail and snow. 



Up to the last week the dominant wind current was westerly, but 

 then followed northerly and north-easterly winds, which several times 

 reached gale force in most parts of the country. The mean temperature 

 of the month was everywhere higher than usual, and this was especially 

 the case over south-eastern England. The range of temperature was 

 nowhere large, and indeed in many districts it was decidedly small, the 

 coldest period being at the commencement of the last week. Rainfall was 

 again much below the average, except in the north of Scotland, and by 

 the close of the month the "deficiency had become very marked. Sun- 

 shine was more frequent than usual over England and Wales, but less so 

 over the greater part of Scotland. 



Observations made at Wisley : 

 Mean temperature of the air in shade ... ... ... ... 42°.4 



Highest „ „ ,, 52°.6 on the 16th 



Lowest „ „ „ ... 31°.0 „ 20th 



Lowest ,, on the grass 23°.5 „ 12th 



