388 



Effects of Winter 1881-82. 



niary 7th, 28°; A])iil IGtli, 2T ; 27tli, 23°. On the 22n(l of 

 November we had a hurricane which did considerable damage in 

 the west ; but we in a great measure escaped the one which did so 

 much damage in the east about a week earlier. On the 16th of 

 June the thermometer fell to 31°, and jirevious to this we had cold 

 easterly winds, by Avhich the fruit crop (which at an early period 

 looked very promising) was greatly damaged, and in some cases 

 quite destroyed. Some of the more tender trees, especially Peaches, 

 were nearly killed. Forest trees are much healthier than they were 

 last season. Oak, which is the prevailing timber tree here, has 

 almost escaped the ravages of the oak caterpillar this season. Last 

 year they were almost wholly stripped of their leaves by it, and that 

 after one of the severest winters of modern times. All the spring 

 flowering plants were early in bloom, but were a fortnight at least 

 later than in 1846. 



Our distance from the sea is 32 miles, with a height of 146 feet 

 above its level. The exposure is W.S.W. 



F7'om Mr John Shannon, The Gardens, Jardine Hall, Dumfriesshire. 



Aug. 8, 1882. 



The winter of 1881-82 was very mild. There has been no 

 damage done here so far as I can see, with the exception of a good 

 deal of fruit blossom which Avas frosted in April. As a result of 

 this, we have a very poor crop of fruit, with the exception of Straw- 

 berries, Gooseberries, and Easpberries, which are an average. All 

 other out-door fruits are a complete failure. 



The following are the lowest temperatures from November 18th 

 to April 16th, taken from thermometer 3 feet above the ground : — 



