1886-87.] Mr Lindsay's Report on Open- Air Vegetation. 123 



causing insufficient ripening, appears to have brought about 

 this result, and from the same cause Rhododendrons, Azaleas, 

 and other Ericaceous plants are but poorly set with flower- 

 buds for next year. Fruit-bearing trees and shrvibs have, 

 as a rule, produced moderate crops; the best are Hollies, 

 Cotoneasters, Roses, and Prunus lusitanica — the latter is 

 unusually abundant this season. 



The lowest readings of the thermometer occurred on the 

 6th, 34°; 11th, 33°; 13th, 37°; 22nd, 35°; 23rd, 32°. The 

 highest morning readings were — on the 1st, 59 ; 2nd, 56 ; 

 6th, 53°; 7th, 56°; 8th, 56°. Rain fell on eighteen days, 

 and there were severe thunderstorms and violent gales in the 

 middle of the month. 



On the Rock Garden many plants were in flower. Only 

 sixteen, however, opened their first flowers during October, 

 the best of which were Armeria canescens, Aster longifoliiis, 

 Crocus medius, astiiricus, hyzantinus, Shrundri, and pulchellus; 

 Dianthus arenarius, Hclleborus altifolius, Tricyrtis hirta. 

 From \st January till the end of October 1161 species and 

 varieties have flowered on the Rock Garden ; at the same date 

 last year 1168 had floivered. 



November. — This month has been very mild and dry 

 generally. Seldom have we had so little frost to record for 

 the time of year, while throughout the month has been most 

 favourable for all outdoor gardening work. The thermometer 

 was at or below the freezing point on ten mornings, indicat- 

 ing collectively 17° of frost, as against 65° for the correspond- 

 ing month last year. The lowest readings occurred on the 

 18th, when the glass registered 30°; 19th, 30°; 21st, 30°; 

 22nd, 26°; 26th, 30°. The highest morning readings were 

 on the 1st, 45°; 2nd, 45°; 3rd, 50°; 15th, 48°; 24th, 48°. 

 Rain fell on ten days, and the prevailing winds were westerly. 

 During the first week of the month severe storms of wind 

 took place, which cleared off, with but few exceptions, any 

 leaves that still remained on deciduous trees. Many autumn 

 flowering plants and annuals have had their flowering season 

 prolonged to an extent quite unprecedented. At the end of 

 the month large numbers were still in blossom. Early spring 

 bulbs, such as Snowdrops, Scillas, Narcissi, and others, are 

 already pushing through the soil, showing that a considerable 

 amount of growth has taken place. Amongst the finest 



