72 MR. A. w. Preston’s meteorological notes. 
snow remained upon tlie ground. Temperature was higli during 
the first and second weeks, a maximum of 55 degrees being 
attained on the 7th ; and although there were no particularly heavy 
falls of rain, it fell almost daily during the first three weeks of the 
month. Cold showers of rain and sleet fell during Christmas Day, 
and from this time to the end of the year the weather remained 
quiet and dull, with slight frosts. The total rainfall for tire month 
was 2.48 in. 
Summary. 
From a perusal of the above notes it will be seen how strikingly 
the year 1884 stands out from its predecessors in many particulars. 
Producing one of the mildest winters ever experienced, perfect 
midsummer weather in the middle of March, a warm and dry 
summer from the beginning of May to the end of Seirtember, with 
such a succession of hot days and clear skies as were hardly 
ever before remembered, it may well be considered one of the most 
remarkable years of the present century. During the summer the 
thermometer attained 75 degrees and upwards on no less than 52 
days, and on 30 of these days it stood at 80 degrees and upwards. 
Such a large number of hot days have not occurred in any summer 
since 1868. From an examination of records of past years it 
may be seen that the hottest summers of the present century were 
those of 1808, 1818, 1826, 1840, 1842, 1846, 1857, 1858, 1859, 
1865, and 1868, and that of 1884 may certainly be added to this 
list. The hottest day of the year was August 11th (91 degrees), 
and the coldest night November 29th (24 degrees). The rainfall 
of the year was only 20.88 in. which is the lowest for 20 years past. 
Three months (February, May, and June) were excessively dry, 
three (January, March, and August) dry, four (April, July, 
November, and December) about the average, and the remaining 
two (September and October) rather wet. The warmth and 
dryness of 1884 will form a pleasing contrast to the wet and 
coolness of the seven years immediately preceding it, and it is to 
be hoped that the year just past is the prelude to a continuance of 
fine summers and sunny skies, and with them brighter prospects 
for all. 
