Mr Sadler's Brport on Opcn-Air Vegetation. 253 



From Mr. Jonx Siiaxnox, Tlie Gardens, Jardine Hall, Lockerbie, 

 D)imfries.<hire. 



May 16, 1881. 

 The past winter has been most severe in this locality. All our 

 fine old Laurels and Bays which were injured in 1879-80 have 

 been killed by the past winter's frost. A great many Rhododen- 

 drons which were injured in 1879-80 are now killed. Aucuha 

 japonica, some killed and some injured. Ivies, manj- killed and 

 many injured. Cupresms 3PNahiana killed. Weliingtonla gigardea 

 slightly injured. Cedru-s Deodara, some killed and some badly 

 injured. Roses all killed back to the mulching level, but are 

 now springing again. All winter vegetables, with the exception of 

 Leeks, were killed. "We are distant from the sea 15 miles, and 

 200 feet above its level The exposure is S.S.W. Our lowest 

 temperatures were on the 16th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, and 25th of 

 January, when we had 39^ 40°, 28°, 33°, and 34° of frost respec- 

 tively. For several days the temperature continued throughout 

 the whole day at over 20^ of frost. * 



From Mr. Thomas Duxcax, Tlie Gardens, Auchen Castle, 

 Moff' d. Da mfriessh ire. 



Jane 17, 1881. 



I have but little to report of the past winter. There is no great 

 variety of shrubs here, the majority of the clumps are Rhododen- 

 dron pontimnn and Hybrids. 



The policies lie on a steep hillside exposed to the north-east, 

 about 27 miles from the Solway Firth, and 600 feet above the 

 sea level. The summer of 1880 was one of the best for many 

 years, but a decided change set in on the 15th September, when a 

 storm of wind and rain from the north-east put an end to outdoor 

 flowers for the season. T may remark that on the 15th September 

 1878 we had a heavy stonu of wind and rain from the south, 

 followed by a hard winter. The first frost of 1880 was on the 4th 

 October, when the register stood at 26°. The thermometer was 

 below freezing point on ten mornings, the lowest on the 20th and 

 1:2nd, when the register stood at 22'' and 20° respectively, total for 

 tno month 72°. November very cold and wintry ; the thermometer 

 was below freezing point on fourteen mornings, lowest on the 2nd, 

 21st, and 22nd, the register standing at 15°, 12°, and 16° respec- 

 tivel}' ; total for the month 139°. 



In December there were eighteen frosty mornings, lowest on the 

 17th 2Sth, and 31st, when the register .stood at 16°, 20", and 18° 

 rcspi}ctively ; total for the month 121°. 



