234 
with a heavy fall of snow ; and on the 30th the thermometer fell to 
10° Fahr. It was, no doubt, to this sudden experience of 22 degrees 
This had excited some plants, especially Siberian and Manchurian 
ones, into a premature activity, when the second spell of severe 
weather occurred. This lasted from the third week of February to 
the second week of March. On two occasions 13 degrees of frost 
were registered, and once 18 degrees, these being accompanied by 
bitter E. and N.E. winds and snowstorms. : 
From this brief summary it will be seen that the winter has no 
claim to rank among the ‘severe ones of history. So far as the 
average mean temperature of the six dark months is oo it 
been observed, in violent fluctuations of temperature, which bring 
about in many plants a state of unrest absolutely opposed to the 
long winter sleep so many of them enjoy in their native places. | 
It would serve no useful purpose to go through the full list of 
killed and injured plants. There are some half-a-dozen great areas 
more unfortunate than usual, Some shrubs, too, which are 
indisputably hardy, such as Cytisus albus, have had their younger 
branches killed, owing no doubt to the soft, unripening weather 
experienced right up to Christmas, These are not mentioned, for 
the damage is but temporary. The following notes are only 
mtended to record the behaviour of newer and more interesting 
plants. 
New Chinese Plants—One of the most interesting elements in the 
horticulture of the resent time is the introduction of new plants 
om Western and é 
afforded the su 
full of encouragement. 
