[Crown Copyright Reserved. \ 
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW. 
BULLETIN 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 
No. 1] | [1922 
I—THE DROUGHT OF 1921 AT KEW. 
The year 1921 will long be remembered as one of the most 
unfavourable for the cultivation of hardy trees and shrubs at 
Kew. At the best of times Kew has much to contend against 
The site is flat and low-lying and consequently late spring frosts 
are very common. Last spring they did great damage. The 
soil is thin and poor and but ill-adapted to resist the effects of 
drought, and the evil effects of the sulphur-laden smoke of 
London can only be realised by those who live on this or similar 
spots. These conditions are perennial, but added to them 
‘during 1921 was a drought unprecedented in the memory of 
living man. During most of the time from April onwards the 
weather was sunny. The hottest period of the year was from 
July 9th to July.20th. During these twelve days the thermo- 
meter registered over 85° on eight days, and on three days 90° 
or more. The hottest day was July 10th, when a temperature 
of 92-5° was reached. On many days the heat was accompanied 
by a dry east wind. 
During the year the rainfall has been very far below the 
average as the following table indicates and the soil a few inches 
below the surface is still. at the close of the year, quite dry and 
powdery. It is probable therefore that the effects of the drought 
recorded during the year are unfortunately far from complete 
and that further losses will have to be recorded during the 
coming spring. 
The table overleaf shows that the average monthly rainfall at 
Kew during fifteen years was 2-12 in., and that the rainy days 
per month were 13. For the year 1921 an average of 1°038 
per month was recorded, with an average of 8°5 days per month 
with rain. 
The following observations have been compiled by the 
Curator, Assistant Curator and the Foremen of the different 
departments and form a valuable, though lamentable, record of 
the disastrous effects of both the drought and salt water 
conditions from which the Royal Botanic Gardens have suffered. 
® (7g)16738 Wt3i—P20 1000 2/22 A 
