256 Mr Sadlei's lie/port on Open- Air Ver/etation. 



After the dry summer of 1880, frost set in so early and so keenly 

 as to do extensive damage to vegetation. 



In the latter part of October we registered from 4^ to 10'^ of 

 frost; this did no inconsiderable injury to the potato crop then 

 iinlifted, and from that time it continued witli more or less severity 

 during the next four months. 



On the 18th of November the thermometer fell to 10°, and on 

 the 20th to 3°. At this date we had the heaviest fall of snow that 

 visited this district during the whole winter, as it fell to the depth 

 of 8 inches. 



It was not before the 16th of January, however, that we 

 experienced the lowest temperature ; on that occasion the thermo- 

 meter fell 5° below zero. The respective readings of the thermometer 

 for several mornings at that time were as follows : — 



January 14th, 1° below zero 

 „ 15th, 3° above „ 

 „ 16th, 5° below ,, 



17th, 4° „ 

 „ 18th, 3° above „ 

 „ 19th, 7° „ „ 



The above were the only times the thermometer fell here below 

 zero, but we would have a mean of about 15° of frost till far ou in 

 March, when its intensity began to relax. In April we had occa- 

 sionally 12°, but during May the temperature was always above 

 freezing point, while in the first week of the present month, June, 

 we had 4° of frost. 



Winter vegetables and autumn sown plants were almost entirely 

 killed. Of hardy shrubs the Portugal and Bay Laurels have 

 suffered the most injury, in many cases having been killed. Arau- 

 carid imbriaifa nearly killed ; Irish Yews much injured ; so also are 

 the English Yews. There are a good many deaths among Eoses, and 

 it is to be regretted that the remaining portion of the grand old 

 Caledonian Forest, the sturdy oaks that have stood the blasts of at 

 least one hundred winters are a standing testimony to the severity 

 of the winter of 1880-81, in some instances scarcely a vestige of 

 greenness is to be seen, while others give melancholy evidence of 

 being much injured. The same also has to be reported of some 

 fine old specimens that stand in the policies of the ducal residence. 



From Mr. James Whitton, The Gardens, Thirledane Castle, Lauder, 

 Berwickshire. 



May 9, 1881. 

 "We are 18 miles distant from, and 558 feet above, the level of the 

 sea, and situated in the middle of a valley about 300 yards from 



