LINCOLN COLLEGE REPORT

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27470, 2 October 1954, Page 3

LINCOLN COLLEGE REPORT

The month was fine and mild, with only one good fall of rain, says the report on the weather in September from Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. The rainfall for the month was 1.13 in, bringing the total to date to 16.8 in. Sunshine was 37 hours above average. Temeeratures were low early in the month ut rose appreciably as the month closed. Pasture and lucerne growth was slow, possibly because of cool temperatures and lack of rain early in the month. Cultivation was brought well up to date in the last two weeks. Soil working conditions were good, but lack of moisture delayed weed strikes.

Stock did well and supplementary feeding eased off in the middle of the month. With fine weather the end of lambing was uneventful.

Dry soil ednditions have enabled home gardens to be planted, and early species are forward. Freedom from frosts has allowed small and stone fruits to set fruit without damage or loss. Spring flowers generally were late, but light winds and low rainfall have allowed them to retain their beauty for a longer period than usual.

Details of meteorological observations made at the college during September, with figures for September, 1953, in parenthesis are:— Mean height of barometer, 30.299 in (29.918); mean humdity, 62.9 per cent. (73.1); mean maximum temperature, 59.7 deg (59.6) highest maximum temperature (on September 24), 76.8 deg (71.1); mean minimum temperature, 36.4 deg (30.7); lowest minimum temperature (on September 3), 25.7 deg (25.4); mean grass minimum temperature, 30.8 deg (30.3); lowest grass minimum temperature (on September 3), 15.9 deg (17.0); mean temperature for month, 48.05 deg (48.15); mean range of temperature for month, 23.3 deg (22.9); mean earth temperature (Bin), 46.5 deg (45.9); days of frost, 13 (14). Rainfall. 1.13 in (1.51); rainfall to date, 16.80 in (25.38); hours of sunshine, 204.1 (221.4) mean amount of cloud (0-8), 4.5 (3.4) miles of wind, 6.279 (7.022); mean force of wind, 2.1 miles an hour (2.3). Temperatures (compared with station mean); maximum, 59.7 deg (56.4); minimum, 36.4 deg (38.4); mean, 48.05 deg (47.4) Sunshine, 204.1 hours (167). Rainfall, 1.13 in (1.97). All observations were made at 9 a.m.