1^52 



Dr Christisou on the 



[sESS. LII. 



last eight years it was between 2-20 in 1885 and 0"85 in 

 1880. ' 



The native oak throughout the south of Scotland suffered 

 more than any other forest tree from the severe winter of 

 1880. Many specimens suffered great losses in twigs and 

 branches, and not a few were killed outright. To the Craigie- 

 hall oaks no such visible damage was done, but the severity 

 of the season was well impressed upon the girth-increase, 

 which amounted to little more than one-third of that in 

 1878. Moreover, the results were not confined to that year. 

 It was not till 1885 that the increase recovered to anything 

 like the standard of 1878, and as that recovery was mainly 

 due to the complete rally of No. 16"^, the conclusion seems 

 warranted that a lasting, if not permanent, injury has been 

 experienced by Nos. 11* and 12*, and in all probability by 

 10* and 17*, although in their case the data are not so 

 sufficient. 



In the depression of 1887 the species may also have had 

 a share, but it' is possible that the small yield of that year 

 may have been due to a progressive decline in vigour. 



