596 
mr. a. w. preston’s meteorological notes. 
Hawthorn in bloom in April, 1893, but what is still a rarer 
occurrence, the Lilacs and Laburnums also opened their flowers. 
The drought at the close of the month was becoming very 
serious in the country. The total fall of rain for the year from 
January 1st to April 30th was 5.22 ins. This, although con- 
siderably below the average, is in excess of 1884, when it was 
only 4.95 ins. ; and in some other years recently it was almost as 
little, as will be seen from the following. 
Total Rainfall, January 1st to April 30th : — 1884, 4.95 ins. : 
1885, 7.36 ins. ; 18S6, 5.83 ins.; 1887, 5.30 ins.; 1888, 7.92 ins., 
1889, 6.31 ins.; 1890, 7.22 ins.; 1891, 5.38 ins.; 1892, 6.96 ins.; 
1893, 5.22 ins. 
May. 
This was the third month in succession which yielded less than 
an inch of rain. After a shower on the 1st not a drop fell until 
the 17th, the weather during the chief part of this period being bril- 
liantly fine and sunny. A welcome rain occurred on the night of 
the 21st — 22nd, when 0.63 was gauged, this being the heaviest fa.l 
recorded since February 21st. The drought however returned tie 
following day, and there was no further downfall during the montl 
except some trifling showers on the 30th and 31st. The earliness 
of vegetation this year was most remarkable. All trees were ir 
full leaf by the middle of the month, the Dog Rose in bloom by 
the 16th (in 1891 it did not commence flowering until the closing 
days of June), and before the end of the month ears of Wheat were 
to be found. 
June. 
This was the fourth month of drought, for with the exception of 
a thunderstorm on the 4th, during which 0.47 inch of rain fell, 
there was no deposition of moisture whatever till the 19th. The 
first week was cool for the season, the exposed thermometer falling 
below the freezing point on the 1st and 3rd. On the 12th very 
warm weather set in, and on the 19th the temperature reached 
83.7 in the shade, which was the highest recorded in June for 
five years past. The fourth week was somewhat unsettled, with 
thunderstorms at times, but the last four days were again fine and 
warm. The persistency of the fine weather during the week 
