1887-88.] Annual Increase in Girth of Trees. 259 



inches, or 30 inches more than at 4 feet 2 inches np. The 

 annual rate for thirteen years has been 1-57 at the ground 

 and 0'75 at 4 feet 2 inches up. Thus it grew twice as fast 

 below as above. 



Cratcegus oxyacantha. — This handsome weeping hawthorn 

 averaged 0'55 in its increase ; the annual variation was great, 

 ranging between 0'80 and 0*10, the one following immediately 

 after the other in 1878 and 1879. The effect of the three 

 severe seasons was unique, as it was the only deciduous tree 

 which suffered mainly in the first, and the only one which 

 rallied in the second, the rally, moreover, being complete. In 

 the third it again fell off, but rallied thereafter to an average 

 of 0"60. It is probable, however, that the tree has either 

 passed its prime, or that the effects of 1879 have been pro- 

 longed, as the rate of increase for three years previous to 

 1878 was as much as 1 inch. The rate for the thirteen 

 years has been 0"65 ; and at the ground, where it was also 

 measured, it was 0"70. In appearance the tree never 

 suffered. In 1883 and 1887 the yield was above average. 



Ornus europa:us. — This graft on a two-foot stool of the 

 common ash stands clear in the middle of the Garden. Its 

 annual rate of increase for the decennial period has been 0'41, 

 but its growth has been very unsteady, and the range, 0"70 

 to 0'20, considerable. During the three consecutive bad 

 seasons it suffered some diminution of girth-increase in 1879, 

 and more in 1880, but rallied in 1881; subsequently, how- 

 ever, for some unknown reason, as it has always looked 

 healthy, the increase has been very slow. In the last thir- 

 teen years the stool, measured in the neck, has increased 9 

 inches and the graft only about 4. 



Carpinus Betuhis. — Rather a handsome tree, standing free 

 among " the grasses," but not in every season well clothed 

 with foliage. In 1887 foliage broke out all over its straight 

 and rather lofty stem. Its average rate of increase has been 

 0'41, not under that of 1878, and the range was 0-55 to 0*10, 

 the latter happening in 1880, the second of the three bad 

 seasons ; in the first there was merely a trifling fall, and in 

 the third a rally to the maximum. In the depressions 

 of 1883 and 1887 the yield was above average. 



Fraxinus excelsior*. — This aged ash, nearly 12 feet in girth, 

 stands free in the park at Craigiehall. It seemed in fair con- 



