3H EFFECTS OF WINTKK OF 1852-3 



XXIV. — Reminiscences ov the Effects of the Winter ok 

 1852-3 on Vegetation generally, and on certain 

 Plants in particular. By Messrs. Standish & Xoble, 

 Bagshot. 



(Communicated September 10th, 1853.) 



The effects of the past winter, as exhibited on the same kind of 

 plants, in different situations, but, apparently, subject to like 

 conditions, were highly anomalous. Many species usually con- 

 sidered capable of enduring an ordinary winter suffered much ; 

 while, on the other hand, numerous plants that previous expe- 

 rience had indicated as doubtfully hardy, or decidedly tender, 

 braved the varying severities of the season unharmed. The 

 numerous reports recorded in the several horticultural periodicals, 

 and more especially those in the Gardeners' Chronicle, abundantly 

 confirm these assertions. And, at the same time, they offer 

 many points worthy the serious consideration of all who are 

 interested in the cultivation of out-door plants. Many facts are 

 there recorded, which, in conjunction with our own opinions and 

 observations, strongly confirm our previous convictions, that 

 much caution is necessary before rejecting a plant as not hardy, 

 even though evidence to that effect should be adduced from 

 several localities. So apparently trifling is the difference between 

 the circumstances that would, on the one hand, enable a given 

 plant to withstand the effects of a severe winter, or, on the other, 

 doom it to certain destruction ; and so little are they, by the 

 majority of planters, understood, or if understood, not appreciated, 

 that we deem no apology necessary for alluding to them here. 



Of the more important conditions that predispose plants, 

 especially young ones,* to suffer from the contingencies which 

 unavoidably accompany exposure to the open air, may be named 

 the following, — a wet and cold situation, or one under the influ- 

 ence of a strong current of air, to which the plant is continually 



* We say young plants, because the same contingencies that would 

 destroy, or at least materially injure, a plant in that state, would influence 

 an older plant but little, or not at all. The branches of a plant cannot be 

 said to be perfectly matured till they are three or four years old for, in 

 other words, a branch three years old is much less susceptible of injury 

 than one produced .in the past season, or even the previous one. But, 

 notwithstanding this, many plants are often condemned as not hardy, 

 because, on being subject to a severe winter in a very young state, they 

 have been lost. A winter that would merely kill the last shoots of an 

 old plant, would in many instances wholly destroy a young one of the 

 same species. 



