The art of living in Australia

Of ivhat duration are the different seasons, and to what months would you apportion each season ? New South Wales and Victoria. — Spring — September, October, November ; Summer — December, January, February ; Autumn — March, April, May ; Winter — June, July, August. South Australia, — Spring — September, October ; Summer comprises the five months from November to March inclusive ; Autumn — April, May ; Winter — June, July, August. Practically, in South Australia the year may be divided into two seasons, namely, Spring, the seven months from April to October inclusive ; and Summer, the five months from November to March inclusive. Queensland. — ^With regard to Southern Queensland, the seasons may be provisionally apportioned as follows : Spring — August, September, October ; Summer — November, December, January, February ; Autumn — March, April, May ; Winter— June, July. What are the prevailing winds, and what particular role do the hot ivinds play .^ New South Wales. — A general statement is not sufficient, for the winds vary much at different places ; but taking the colony as a whole, its prevailing Avinds come from some point between north-west and south-west, and hence the diy climate. In Sydney no less than 39'G per cent, of the wind comes from this quarter. The winds known as southerly bursters are generally to be expected from November to the end of February ; they are always attended with strong electrical excitement, a stream of sparks being sometimes produced for an hour at the electrometer. The approach of the true burster is indicated by a peculiar roll of clouds, which, when once seen, cannot be mistaken. It is just above the south horizon, and extends on either side of it 15° or 20°, and looks as if a thin sheet of cloud were being rolled up like a scroU by the advancing wind. The change of wind is sometimes very sudden ; it may be fresh N.E. and in ten minutes a gale from S. Hence vessels not on the look-out are sometimes caught unprepared, and suifer accordingly. When a southerly wind commences anywhere south of Sydney it is at once telegraphed to its principal coast towns, and a signal put up indicating its approach. As to the hot winds, they are so insignificant in number that it cannot be said they play any particular role. Their effect is to raise the temperature, because they flow from the heated interior of Australia ; but they do not last long, and for the majority of people are diy, healthy winds. Indeed, they are by no means so oppressive as the warm northeast wind, so charged with moisture, which comes in the summer. Victoria. — In summer the N. winds blow to the extent of 8 per cent., the S.W. winds 24*1 per cent., and the S. winds 20*4: per cent. Northerly, or warm-quarter winds, in summer are 20 per cent., and southerly, or cool-quarter winds, 64 per cent. The northerly winds in winter, however, are bleak and cold, Like easterly winds in England. The particular role played by the hot wind is to precede a cyclonic movement, and is always in front of a low pressure area or B'i