90 On the Leafing of certain Trees, by Rev. J. Farquharson. 



The years 1863 and 1866 are shown by the evidence of the 

 three trees to have had respectively the earliest and the latest 

 spring seasons ; and this year, 1876, is little in advance of 1866. 



The years 1861 and 1870 show the three approaching each 

 other most closely. It will be remembered that the winters at 

 the commencement of these years were exceptionally severe, 

 while the springs were of average character. In 1871, on the 

 other hand, which also began in a very severe winter, the spring 

 was marked by great and sudden changes, having been un- 

 usually genial and summer-like at first, but closing with a long 

 continuance of very backward weather, cold and wet, in the end of 

 April. Accordingly, that year shows the greatest departure from 

 the average of the above dates, the Plane having its earliest, 

 April 3rd, and the Lime one of its latest dates, May 5th— an in- 

 terval of 32 days, while the average interval of the other 15 

 years is 8A days. It is plainly the immediate weather, the 

 weather at the time of leafing or flowering, that determines the 

 dates of these phenomena. A severe winter is compensated for 

 by a mild and bright latter part of spring ; while any apparent 

 advantage gained from a mild February or March is lost should 

 April and early May prove unpropitious. 



