73 
with an almost constant ratio, the amount of rainfall regis- 
tered in any of the other gauges to which I have referred. 
There is some reason for this regularity, as well as for the 
irregularity observed in the other gauges. It is an interest- 
ing enquiry to which I intend to devote myself, in the hope 
sooner or later to find a solution of the problem. I have 
good reason for thinking that the irregularity is due to the 
irregular surface of the country. When the late Mr. Vernon 
made his observations at Old Trafford, and mine were 
proceeding at Eccles, I could almost predict the amount of 
rain that would fall in a given month at his station, as he 
could at mine. The ground between the two stations was 
practically level, and though the gauges were between three 
and four miles apart, the rainfall at the two stations was 
practically the same. 
The following table shows the results obtained from a 
rain guage with a 5in. receiver placed 22in. above the 
ground at this station : — • 
Days of 
Rainfall 
for each 
Quarter. 
1879. 
Fall 
in 
Inches. 
Ditto in 
Quarterly 
Periods. 
( 
January 
£•342 
50 ] 
February 
4-407 
[ 9-435 
t 
Marcb 
2-686 
) 
r 
April 
2-367 
57 ] 
May 
2-628 
[ 13-507 
June 
8-512 
3 
( 

8-450 
> 
65 ] 
August 
10-630 
V 23-034 
1 
September 
3‘954 
3 
C 
October 
4-954 
39 ] 
November 
1-604 
V 10 797 
1 
December 
4-239 
3 
211 
56-773 
56-773 
There can be no doubt that similar rainfall facts to those 
presented in the quarterly columns of the foregoing table 
have occurred throughout the country. That being so, it is 
clear that our crops, instead of being ripened by heat, Avere 
