102 TRA.NSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



the crops. The growth, thereafter, was so satisfactory that most 

 crops made a full average, and were harvested in good order 

 generally, except on thin, poor soils, where the plants got stunted. 

 The hay crop was the notable exception in regard to bulk. In 

 many instances the second cutting was superior in bulk and 

 quality to the first ; the harvesting of this crop along with the 

 cereals was frequently seen during September. 



The effects of the intense frost on vegetation were most marked 

 on evergreen shrubs and plants of succulent growth. The amount 

 of loss suffered by nurserymen and others was very considerable, 

 in many places whole breadths of plants were killed or seriously 

 crippled. A plant nursery after a severe winter provides object- 

 lessons of great value and extreme interest to those whose province 

 it is to study the planting of trees and shrubs. Many problems 

 difficult of solution present themselves. Frequently in a batch of 

 plants of the same species isolated plants are found uninjured, 

 whilst the others are killed. Not infrequently during last season 

 cases were noticed of trees of a century's growth, which had 

 withstood <2:reater frosts than those of last winter, beinsr severelv 

 crippled, while younger plants of the same species, growing com- 

 paratively near them, entirely escaped injury. It was noticed, 

 also, that in many instances this state of matters was reversed. 



As the effect of the severe frost on shrubs in our Parks may 

 prove of service to those citizens who take an interest in such 

 matters, it may be useful to note a few examples. For instance, 

 the common Rhododendron 2yonticum, Linn., suffered more severely 

 than the fine coloured hvbrid varieties ; while the hardiest of all 

 appears to be a variety which thrives admirably about Glasgow, 

 viz. : — E. 2)onticum, Linn., var. Cunningliami. The lesson taught 

 by the Rhododendrons is obvious. Regarding Hollies, the broad- 

 leaved sorts are the only ones now planted in quantity, as they 

 withstand the impure atmospheric conditions better than the 

 variegated or fancy-leaved ones, and these, while they were not 

 killed, suffered serious defoliation, and were much weakened in 

 consequence. In the case of Aucubas, only the few fancy varieties 

 were killed outright. The well-known Anciiha jajyonica, Thunb. — 

 though the foliage and sappy growths were severely blackened — 

 recruited wonderfully during the season. Amongst the hardy 

 heaths the majority of the foreign species stood better than our 



