the Age of Trees from the member of Rinrjs. 449 



Mr Hall's example has not jet been extensively followed 

 in Uruguay, as he informs me that, within a circuit of fifty 

 miles, the estates that have so much as twenty acres planted 

 could probably be counted on the fingers of one hand, while 

 very few have as much as an acre, and the great majority are 

 still quite bare of wood. It is to be expected, however, that 

 a great change in this respect will take place when the 

 encoviraging results of Mr Hall's planting are more generally 

 known ; and I am glad to say that it is his intention to 

 publish shortly a full account of his forestry experiments in 

 Uruguay. 



Meteorological observations were taken by Mr Hall with 

 tested instruments, properly protected, and according to 

 recognised scientific rules. The principal results are as 

 follows : — 



The climate is variable, and the extremes of temperature 

 and rainfall are accentuated. Long droughts and long- 

 continued rains are apt to occur. The annual rainfall is 

 irregular in amount ; thus, for the two years from July 

 1886 to June 1888, it was in all 32| inches, but for the 

 subsequent year it was no less than 79 inches. The annual 

 average number of days of rain is 94, and the fall is torrential 

 in character. April and September are the rainiest months, 

 and February the driest. 



December, January, and February may be taken as the 

 summer months, the average maxima of temperature being 

 84°*7 F., the minima 58°'4. June, July, and August are 

 the winter months — average maxima 60° "5, average minima 

 41°'3. The spring and autumn average maxima and minima 

 are much ahke — maxima 72°, minima 49°. Highest tem- 

 perature in shade in nine years, 100°; lowest, 23°. Mean 

 annual temperature, 60°-9. Frost at night is not at all 

 infrequent in winter, but it disappears as the sun gains 

 strength in the early morning. 



It thus appears that the cold season is sufficiently well 

 marked to lead us to expect a distinct annual check to 

 vegetation, and that, in the warm season, temperature anl 

 rainfall are liable to sudden marked changes, from which 

 minor effects on the growth might result. 



The five sections sent by Mr Hall are from five species 

 of trees, and were all cut close to the groimd. I give 



TRAXS. BOT. SOC. VOL. XVIII. 2 U 



