METEOEOLOGY ; IMPORTATIONS OF GRAIN ; SALES OF 
BRITISH WHEAT ; PRICES OF CORN AND OTHER 
PRODUCE; AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS; AND STA- 
TISTICS OF DAIRY PRODUCE. 
[Hie facts are derived chiefly from the Meteorological lieports of Mr. 
Glaisher, and the Returns of the Board of Trapk, and of the Inspector- 
General OF Imports and Exports.] 
METEOROLOGY.— 1870. 
First Quarter {January, February, Mar<;h). — The exceedingly cold 
weather which prevailed at the end of 1870 continued until the 5th 
day of January, 1871, then somewhat moderated, but continued 
cold to the loth. On the 19th the cold weather returned and con- 
tinued to February 2nd. From the 3rd of February to the 14th of 
March the weather was mostly mild, and occasionally spring-like. 
From March 14th to the end of the quarter the weather was very 
changeable. 
In January frost and snuw stopped all out-door farm work ; 
the mild weather in February melted the snow, and, being accom- 
panied by rain, caused rivers and streams to overflow, and in some 
cases to destroj^ a portion of the crops. Field work was all but 
stopped until towards the end of the month, vegetation was very 
backward, pastures and grass lands were bare, and the scarcity of 
fodder was severely felt. Towards the end of February, under the 
influence of the higher temperature, shiubs, hedges, and early 
fruit-trees began to bud, and early spring flowers to bloom. All 
kinds of vegetables were scarce. 
During the month of March agricultural operations progressed 
vigorously ; the land was found to be unusually free from insects, 
and at the end of the quarter a very large breadth of land was 
under cultivation, but vegetation was still backward, having been 
checked by frequent bleak north and east winds. The corn was 
spoken of as healthy, but forage and vegetables were very scarce. 
The mean temperature of January was 33°-2 or 3''-l lower than 
the average of 100 years ; in February and March the mean 
temperature was 42"-4 and 44^-9 respectively', being 3'^-9 higher in 
February and 4*^-0 higher in March than the average of 100 years. 
VOL. VIll.— S.S. " A 
