98 
mr. a. w. preston’s meteorological, notes. 
the thermometer did not once touch the freezing point. The mean 
temperature of the month was about 3 degrees below the average, 
and was 44.1 degrees against 48.3 degrees in 1885, 46.6 degrees 
in 1886, 43.8 degrees in 1887, and 42.5 degrees in 1888, constitut- 
ing it the fourth cold April in succession. 
May. 
This was an exceedingly warm growing month, with heavy rains 
at times, the month’s rainfall having been more than double the 
average. Eleven years have elapsed since so warm, or so wet, a 
May has been experienced in these parts. The first and third 
weeks were the linest, and gave more summer-like days than all 
the previous year. The 23rd and 24th were exceptionally warm 
for the season, the thermometer rising to nearly 80 degrees on each 
of those days. Thunder occurred somewhat frequently with the 
heavier rains, and was very severe on the nights of the 24th and 
27th, 0.80 in. falling on the last mentioned date. It is remark- 
able that the thermometer did not once fall below the freezing 
point during the whole of April and May. The mean temperature 
of the month was 2 degrees above the average, and was 55.2 
degrees against 49.9 degrees in 1885, 52.7 degrees in 1886, 48.4 
degrees in 1887, and 51.1 degrees in 1888. Altogether the month 
was more in accord witli the popular notion of what May weather 
ought to be, than the biting winds and sharp frosty nights so 
prevalent in May during the four previous years. The effect upon 
vegetation after the cold April was marvellous, and the rapidity 
of growth, forced on by the heat by day and warm night rains, was 
such as was hardly ever before remembered. 
June. 
This month was also exceedingly fine and genial, with consider- 
able heat at times. The only interruptions to the uniform fineness 
were severe thunderstorms on the night of the 2nd, and a 
short, cold, wet period from the 7th to the lltli, at the time of the 
Whitsuntide holidays. The 10th (Whit Monday) was very rainy, 
1.01 in. falling during the day and previous night. No rain 
