( VIII ) 
Fourth Quarter (October, November, December). — The last quarter of 
the year 1871 was remarkable for the longest continuance of low 
temperature during November and the first half of December in 
this century. The temperature of the month of Octoi)er had been 
nearly a degree below the average, but on the 2nd November a 
period of cold weather set in of unprecedented length, continuing 
throughout the whole month. The mean temperature of this month 
was 37°'6, being 4°-7 below its average deiived from 100 years, 
observation. In two instances only, viz., in the years 1782 
and 1786, was the mean temperature of November lower than 37°"6, 
and since the year 1786, that is in the last 85 years, there has been 
no instance of such a cold November, The cold continued into 
December and with severity until the 12th day, the average defi- 
ciency of the mean daily temperature from the 1st to the 12th being 
9i°. On the 8th December the deficiency reached 19°'3, the mean 
temperature of that day having been 22°'4, while its average is 41°-7. 
The rain-fall during the quarter, as measured at Greenwich, 
amounted to only 3'2 in., being 4 in. below the average. 
The fall of rain in October was only one-half of the average for 
that month ; in November it was only one-fourth ; and in December 
it was three-fifths of its average; thus the rain-fall in each month 
of the quarter was defective. 
A local report from Strathfield Tuigiss stated that the weather in 
October was most favourable for getting out farmyard manure, 
ploughing, and feeding olf root crops preparatory for the wheat, 
which had been got into the ground in good order, and was 
looking quite gay. All early turnips were of good size, but man- 
golds and swedes were smaller than usual. In November the severe 
frosts several times hindered the wheat sowing ; the milder weather, 
however, at the end of the month made the ground so favourable 
that but little hairowing was required before putting in the seed. 
Feeding off the turnips has been effected under more favourable 
circumstances than usual, no waste of food having occurred from 
wet weather ; the sheep had also made good progress in lay^ng-on 
flesh. Lean bullocks and sheep had fallen slightly in value, but 
still retained too high a price to leave much profit for the winter's 
keep. The month of December was veiy satisfactory for the finish- 
ing up of the wheat-sowing, which had been kept back by the 
severe frosts of previous month. There had been less wheat 
, showing itself above ground this Christmas than in previous sea- 
sons, but within the last few days a considerable breadth had 
peeped up; this would seem to indicate a late harvest for 1872-; 
but past experience would tend to show that the time of ripening 
does not depend on the time of sowing. 
