lle'port on Temfcraturcs and Opcn-Air Vegetation. 153 



aphis, are, so far, almost free from this enemy ; probably 

 owing to the lateness and dryness of the spring. Amongst 

 plants which have flowered unusually well this season 

 Rhododendron Jiirsutum and B. ferrugineum (the Swiss 

 alpine Rhododendrons) may be mentioned ; large bushes 

 4 to 5 feet wide have been completely covered with 

 bloom. On the rock garden 255 species and varieties of 

 plants came into flower during the month, as compared 

 with 173 for the corresponding month last year, making a 

 total of 701 for the season, as against 6GG at the same date 

 last year. 



August. — During the month of August the weather, 

 though mild and pleasant generally, was more favourable 

 in the develoi^ment of wood and leaves than ripening and 

 maturing of fruit and seed. The lowest readings of the 

 thermometer were on the 10th, 47°; 12th, 45°; 13th, 46°; 

 20th, 45°; 23rd, 42°; while the highest morning readings 

 were on the 4th, 60°; 14th, 61°; 20th, 65°; 24th, 64°; 25tl., 

 64°. West and south-west winds were prevalent. Eaiu 

 fell in slight showers nearly every day throughout the 

 month, in consequence of which many kinds of seeds have 

 ripened badly, particularly those of herbaceous plants, 

 which this year are a poor crop. 



Seventy species and varieties of plants came into flower 

 on the Kock Garden for the month, making a total of 938 

 for the season. 



Septcmher. — September was also mild and pleasant 

 throughout. North-west winds were frequent until the 

 latter part of the month, when north-east winds prevailed, 

 accompanied by rain, which, however, was not so frequent 

 as on the previous month. The lowest temperatures 

 occurred on the 1st, 41°; 5th, 41°; 12th, 32°; 11th, 41°; 

 22nd, 34°; while the highest morning readings were on the 

 3rd, 58°; 16th, 57°; 17th, 58°; 22nd, 56°; 25th, 60°. The 

 first frost experienced since the 12th of May last was 

 thus on the 12th of the month, when the thermometer 

 fell to freezing-point. The first frost recorded last season 

 was also on the 12tli of September, when the same 

 amount, viz., 32°, was registered. From the ]2th till the 

 end of the month the weather was again mild and bright, 

 which tended to ripen and mature the wood of various 



