The Weather of 1889. 
231) 
shavings, and tank liquid, the materials underwent a more equable 
decomposition, remaining relatively, however, in the same position 
to one another. In respect of their several qualifications as to soft- 
ness, dryness, and cleanliness when used in the stall, they also differ 
considerably, wood shavings being much cleaner than peat-moss, and 
also, since they do not absorb so great a quantity of liquid, they 
are much drier for animals to lie upon. As the authors point out, the 
importance of these qualifications depends on circumstances. In a 
large stable, for instance, where there is always someone to replace 
any excessively wet part of the bed with fresh litter, the liability of 
peat-moss to become wet need not be taken into account. In small 
stables, however, where this cannot be looked after very closely, the 
wood shavings are recommended. As regards the manurial value 
of the various substances, peat-moss contains more nitrogen but less 
potash and phosphoric acid than rye-straw, whilst wood shavings 
possess a relatively intermediate value, containing about the same 
amount of nitrogen and more potash and phosphoric acid than the 
peat-moss, but less potash than straw. One point in reference to 
the width of the shavings may be noted. If they are too narrow 
they entangle themselves with the hoofs, but this objection is over- 
come if the shavings have a width of 2 to 3 centimetres ('8 to 1*2 
i nches )- J. W. Leather, Ph.D. 
THE WEATHER OF 1889. 1 
First Quarter. — The weather in January till the 8th day was 
cold, and fog was very general ; from the 9th the temperature was 
variable, a few days together being a little above their averages, and 
then a few clays a little below ; the last few days of the month were 
warm. The month was mostly cloudy, with a fall of rain below the 
average at all stations, with very little snow, and upon the whole 
the month was fine. 
The weather in February was changeable and for the most part 
very cold ; the first day was very warm, being 12° above its average ; 
the second day was cold, being more than 1° below its average, and 
from this day it was cold and unsettled, with the exception of the 
few days from the 14th to the 20th, which were generally warm; 
the end of the month was very cold and winterly. The fall of rain 
was in excess in some places and in defect in others. Snow fell 
frequently, and the month was winterly. 
The weather in March was generally cloudy and cold. The 
temperature was below its average constantly till the 7th, and was 
variable afterwards, with a few warm days together and then a few 
cold clays, to the end of the month. The fall of rain was generally 
in excess. The fall of snow during the first twelve days was fre- 
1 Abstracted from the particulars su jr. lied to the Registrar-General by 
James Glaisher, Esq., F.R.S., &c. 
