54 PROCEEDINGS: BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 



report he had to mention a discouraging loss. " I may say that al- 

 most everything planted seems to have taken root, those you first 

 put in are budding freely, although I regret to say that on Friday last 

 we had a moderate gale which lasted about 24 hours when the wind 

 at times exceeded 40 miles an hour. I find that on the trees with soft 

 leaves which had just opened, they were burned off as if from frost. 

 The pines and spruces were not affected as far as could be observed." 

 In the fall of 1901, November 5th, Supt. Bouteillier wrote, "With 

 regard to the condition of the trees the latter part of the summer was 

 very dry, so much so that our vegetables are less than a half crop, so 

 that you can see it must have been trying for the trees. 



"Rainfall 



June, 2.38 inches; spread well over the whole month; fogs as well. 

 July, 2.90 inches; spread well over the whole month; fair; warmer. 

 August 1 to 13, 3.36 inches; no fogs; very warm. 

 September 8 to 30, 1.65 inches; no fogs; very warm; dry gales. 

 October 3 to 24, 3.60 inches; no fogs; warm; some high winds. 



"You will see from this that the trying time was from August 13 

 to October 3, with only 1.65 of rain, no fogs and very warm weather 

 for Sable Island. The thermometer averaged high all summer. 



"This drought killed most of the weaklings, and the high winds 

 burned the leaves off the deciduous trees between September 21 and 

 26, during which time it blew a continuous gale from S. W. around to 

 north. After the gale subsided, the leaves were as though a fire had 

 run close to the trees and scorched them. It was not cold, and we 

 have had no frost yet. 



"Many of these trees were very promising, and some of them are 

 Ludding again since we have had rains. * * * 



" Now, as I think I have shown you the worst side, I will show the 

 other. All the evergreens looked dull during the drought, but after 

 we had a few rains they improved wonderfully. All the pines, ex- 

 cept the white pine P. strobus are looking splendidly and have made 

 growth. The plants from the pine seed also grew well, but lately I 

 noticed that many were turning a bluish cast. Some spruces sur- 

 vive, but few look promising. Arbor-vitae suffered much from 

 drought, but there are many promising specimens in various locali- 

 ties. 



''This general statement of the conditions of the trees applies to 

 all planted in the various localities, but I think Gourdeau Park, 1}^ 



