Mr Sadler's Report on Open-Air Vegetation. 235 



The past winter has been the most severe of which we have any 

 record. The plants which suffered most were Escallonia macrantha, 

 Veronica Andersoni, Vihurnum Thins ; Norway Spruce and Austrian 

 Pine also suffered where much exposed. The kitchen garden stood 

 well 



Lowest Temperatures registered during past Winter. 



From Mr. D. Melville, The Gardens, Dunrohin Castle, 

 Stdlierlandshire. 



April, 1881. 



The winter of 1880-81 has been the most protracted and severe 

 in the north of which we have any record, lasting with frost and 

 snow almost without a break from the 19th October 1880 till the 

 end of March 1881. From the end of March to the middle of May 

 cold east winds prevailed, which retarded vegetation of all kinds to 

 a very late period. The weather during April was fortunately dry 

 and very suitable for getting forward with out-door operations 

 which were much in arrear. Altogether the mnter may be fairly 

 said to have lasted fully six months, monopoHsing its own allotted 

 period, and the greater part of what in the ordinary course of things 

 should have been spring. The gardens here are close to the sea, 

 13 feet above high water mark, and protected by woods and rising 

 ground from the north, north-east, and north-west, but exposed to 

 the full force of the easterly winds, which are frequently very 

 injurious to evergreens during March and April. 



Previous to last winter, our lowest temperature during the last 

 twenty years occurred on the 22nd January 18G7, wher the ther- 

 mometer went do"«Ti to 14°, or 18° of frost. On 17th January last 

 the thermometer went down to 13°, or 19° of frost, and it was at or 

 below the freezing-point on 107 nights during the winter. The 

 worst block by snow for many years occurred between the 3rd and 

 8th March on the Highland Railway Company's hne between Inver- 

 ness and Perth, while the same Company's line tlirough Caithness 

 was blocked at the same time for a fortnight. 



