THE EFFECTS OP THE COLD. 



subject, which, even in a younp^ state, has something grand and striking in its 

 appearance. Although the soil should be naturally dry or well drained for 

 growing it, it prefers a good, rich loam, rather heavy than otherwise. 



In composition, this section should be grouped together, as they do not 

 harmonize well with the short-leaved kinds. Planted in this way, and in appro- 

 priate situations, they will form a striking mass, very distinct from anything else. 



Our engraving was taken from a fine specimen in the Piuetum at Nuneham 

 Park, near Oxford. — London Florist. 



[This pine was destroyed last winter at Wodenethe, but would be a very valu- 

 able acquisition at the South. — Ed.] 



THE EFFECTS OF THE COLD.* 



BY WM. BACON, RICHMOND, MASS. 



Autumn seems like a late and "after the fair" period, to speak of the results 

 of a gone-by winter ; yet the effects of such winters as the last are not always 

 sufficiently developed to warrant an opinion with regard to them until the brief 

 spring which follows has passed away, and summer, that, in consequence of spring's 

 brevity, has so much of the work of two seasons to perform, has had an opportu- 

 nity to exercise its resurrection influence, and tell us what is coming into hopeful 

 life, and what is dead beyond all recovery. 



Our last winter, among the Berkshire Hills, was long and uniformly cold. With 

 us, however, the mercury did not realize the depression that it often does in milder 

 and briefer winters. Its lowest mark, by our observation, was 20° below zero, or 

 2° and 4° less than was the case in several preceding winters. We had no thaws 

 worthy of the name until late in March, and the number of times from December 

 25 until that period, when the mercury rose above freezing, were few as well as 

 brief. The quantity of snow, if it had lain level, would have measured from three 

 and a half to four feet, according to localities. But, in most situations, it was 

 badly drifted ; consequently, highways and gardens had a large supply. In the 

 latter, it served as a beautiful protection to tender plants, insomuch they wintered 

 finely under its cover, though it was rather severe in breaking down young trees, 

 especially dwarfs. 



In consequence of winter's closing in by a fall of snow upon unfrozen ground, 

 the advance of spring, so far as the dying away of mud was concerned, was rapid. 

 But the departure of the snow, and the settling of the ground, did not bring warm 

 weather. Cold and chilling northerly winds prevailed through May, and, in con- 

 sequence, the progress of vegetation was slow and unhealthy. 



But, to mark the effects of the winter, small fruits, such as strawberries, rasp- 

 berries, currants, &c., never passed its ordeal better. So with roses and all flow- 

 ering plants and shrubs that were covered with snow. Above this snow-line, 

 however, all but the more hardy kinds were killed. 



Peach-trees suffered most severely of all our fruits. The last year's growth 

 gave out their feeble blossoms and died, so that the trees, until the last of June, 

 looked more fit for the brush-heap than the garden. Many were cut down, but 

 in most cases where they were allowed to stand, they (unless in very old trees) 

 threw out new shoots, and, by the middle of August, assumed appearances of 

 hopeful thrift, so that we anticipate future crops from them. The peach gave no 

 fruit. 



* Tliis interesting article was intended for a former number, but was crowded out ; 

 however, lost by a short delay, none of its value. — Ed, 



