272 Dr Christison on the [sess. lii. 



spreading form of Xo. 41. Its annual rate of girth-increase 

 for the decennial period has been only 0'28, and this low rate 

 is probably due to a lasting eftect of the first of the three 

 severe seasons, when the amount fell from O'oO to 01 5, 

 from which no effectual rally has been made since. Its 

 upward growth has been likewise slow, averaging only 

 two-thirds of an inch annually for nine years. There was 

 another great depression in 1887, when the girth-increase 

 was only 0'05. 



Xos. 47, 48, 49, and 50 were all planted when six years 

 old, in 1821-22. 



Xo. 47 was noted in 1878 as having a clear smooth 

 trunk of about 5 feet, unpruned, and as being overshadowed 

 by a forest tree on one side and choked on the other, so as 

 in form to be only half a tree. These conditions still 

 continue, and probably account for its exceedingly low 

 annual average growth of only 0'09 in the last nine 

 years, its rate for the previous sixty-four years of its 

 life having been 0"53. Its present height is 21 feet 

 1 inch, representing an annual rate of upward growth of 

 about 4 inches a year. 



Xo. 48 stands in a shrubljcry, but has lately been well 

 cleared of neighbours, which somewhat pressed upon it ; its 

 form has not been injured, and it has a very healthy vigorous 

 look. The lowest branch is at 4 feet up, and the stem is 

 unpruned. Its annual increase in girth for sixty-four years 

 down to 1878 was 0"59, and since then has been 048, the 

 largest proportion of any of the measured yews. Girth- 

 increase was somewhat depressed in the two Inst of the 

 three severe seasons, and more seriously in 1887. The 

 annual average upward growth for tlie first sixty-four years 

 was a little over 4 inches, but for tlie last nine was barely 

 1 inch. 



Xo. 49 stands free upon grass, but has an upright form, 

 the result perhajjs of pruning, the stem having l)een cleared 

 to a height of 5 feet 3 inches. Its annual increase for the 

 sixty-four years down to 1878 was only 0"37, but it has 

 done better since, having averaged 0'45 in the last nine 

 years. Its girth-increase was depressed, but only sliglitly, 

 in the first and second of the two severe seasons. Its height 

 on June 23, 1879, was 19 feet 7 inches, and on Xovember 



