96 
J. HOPKESTSON-PHENOLOGICAL PHENOMENA. 
gave the heaviest rainfall at Harpenden since 1879, and with this 
excess of rain was registered the lowest mean temperature since 
1879. Vegetation was kept so much in check that at the beginning 
of June it had seldom been observed so backward. Many of the 
common wild flowers were from 10 to 14 days later in blooming 
than in 1884.” 
The first 5 species for June averaged 2£ days late, and the next 
5 species 1^ day late, all flowering as usual within the month. 
Here we see the continued effect of the cold and wet weather of 
May, but lessening towards the end of June, when the warm, 
bright, and dry weather prevailing throughout the month appears 
to have commenced to take effect. At Harpenden “June was 
extremely variable in temperature. The great extremes of tem¬ 
perature were very hurtful to vegetation, and notwithstanding the 
immense quantity of bloom on the fruit-trees, the crop in many 
places was very scanty. No serious deficiency was expected in the 
wheat crop, but heavy well-packed ears were the exception rather 
than the rule. At the end of June the crop was a week or perhaps 
ten days behind that of an average season. Earley was looking 
well, and oats promised an exceedingly large yield on good land.” 
The first ear of wheat was observed out on the 9th. 
The 5 species for July which usually flower in June averaged 
1 day late, and the 5 which usually flower in July averaged \ day 
early. July was a warm, bright, and very dry month, and thus 
somewhat similar to June, the stimulating effect of the weather of 
which appears to have gradually taken more effect, the last four 
groups of five species each being in succession 2^ days, 1^, and 1 
day late, and half a day early. 
The few species in our list which flower later in the year appeared 
at about the average dates; except the ivy (37), the only species 
for September, which, as in 1884, was out earlier than usual. 
