150 Report on Temperatures and Open- Air Vegetation, 



inches. In the garden itself, the ground was covered from 

 18 inches to 2 feet, protecting outdoor vegetation effec- 

 tively, though much difficulty was experienced in keeping 

 up a sufficient heat in the plant houses, owing to the cold 

 north-east winds. On the 15th, when the thermometer 

 stood at 3" F., a gradual thaw set in, hut the ground was 

 covered with snow till the 23rd. 



Considerable damage was done to evergreen trees and 

 shrubs by the continued weight of snow bending and 

 breaking their branches. Unripened shoots of Golden 

 Queen Holly were slightly browned, and some plants left 

 out in the rock garden, which survive during mild winters 

 only, were cut to the ground, as Cordyline australis, 

 Eucalyptus globulus, and E. viminalis ; tliese were tall 

 plants uncovered by snow, while the New Zealand Veronica 

 Andersonii and its varieties, which with us are usually killed 

 in severe weather, were safe, by having been protected by 

 snow. 



January 1883. — The thermometer was at or below the 

 freezing-point on fifteen occasions, as against twelve during 

 January 1882. The following plants were in flower in the 

 open air on the first day of the year \—Geum aureum, He- 

 2Kitica triloba alba, Erica lierbacea alba, Helleborus grandi- 

 Jlorus, and different coloured varieties of the common 

 Primrose. 



February. — The thermometer was at or below the freez- 

 iiig-point on nine occasions. The lowest readings were 

 registered on the 1st, 29° ; 11th, 31° ; 12th, 32° ; 16th, 

 32° ; 19th, 28° ; 28th, 31°. The highest morning readings 

 were on the 5th, 46°; 14th, 49°; 20th, 45°; 2l8t, 50°; 

 24th, 47° ; 25th, 46°. Little rain and no snow fell. 

 South and south-west winds were prevalent, bright sun- 

 shine being of frequent occurrence during the early part 

 of most days. So mild a month of February has only 

 occurred once during the last thirty years ; this was in 

 February 1869, when 2° less were recorded. In conse- 

 quence of this mild and genial weather vegetation made 

 rapid progress. Leaf and flower buds are well forward on 

 many deciduous trees and shrubs, such as Thorns, Lilacs, 

 Eoses, and Eihcs sa.nguineum, the latter being also in 

 flower. Herbaceous plants, such as Fritillaria, Hernero- 



