Nov. 1899.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBUEGH 255 



growing season, and all niiuns factors in the sleeping 

 season ; and the growths are as follows : — 



Growing Season. Sleepixg Season. 



Millimetres. Millimetres. 



Gum Trees .113 107 



Pines . . 35 27 



Blackwoods . 41 8 



189 = 57-1 per cent. 142 = 42-9 per cent. 



It would seem that, save in the case of the Eucalypti, 

 the evergreens depend much on the weather of the sleeping 

 season. 



Locusts did severe damage at the end of 1896 and the 

 beginning of 1897 ; and these years shall be referred to 

 later on. 



Turning to the ten deciduous trees, the years 1890 and 

 1891 present a nearly identical growth; the deficiency of 

 rainfall in the growing season of 1890 is greater than in the 

 same season of 1891, and it has a larger excess of sunshine ; 

 but the temperature was lower, owing to the low minima 

 readings. In the sleeping season, 1891 has a plus average 

 of rainfall, a little over average sunshine, and a little over 

 average temperature; whereas in 1890 the rainfall was 

 deficient, the sunshine considerably in excess, and the 

 temperature of minima readings below the average. 



Now in the nine-year period, seven deciduous trees 

 achieve 91 '2 per cent, of their growth in the growing 

 season, and 8*8 per cent, in the sleeping season ; whereas 

 in these years, 1890 and 1891, their growth in growing 

 season 1890 is 8 6 '6 per cent., and in 1891 it is 81*3 per 

 cent.; and in sleeping seasons, 13'3 and 18*7 per cent. 

 Only sunshine, apparently, can be credited with the over- 

 average growth in 1890 sleeping season ; and the more 

 than double average growth in 1891 sleeping season must 

 be due in various proportions to the plus average rain, plus 

 average sunshine, and plus average temperature. It would 

 almost seem as if a considerable excess of sunshine — the 

 sole advantage of 1890 — counterbalanced the extra good 

 weather conditions of sleeping season 1891, and the 

 average good conditions of its growins; season. 



