358 Reports of the Great Storm, of Wind, October, 1881. 



As the dagger, whicli appears to be a weapon of the IStli or 

 16tli century, was found on the ancient archery practice ground, 

 we may surmise it to have been dropped by one of the archers ; or 

 lost in a fray, an event that we well know was of frequent 

 occurrence amongst the dalesmen at that period. At all events 

 — how or when lost — we have in it a memento of savage days 

 and savage deeds in Ooquetdale. D. D. Dixon. 



Reports on the Effects of the Great Storm of Wind, IJ^th 

 October, 1881, on Plantations. [Continued from p. 214.] 



BEEWICKSHIRE. 



Eeport by Alexander Mcintosh, gardener, Paxton House, on 

 the Effects of the Storm of 14th October, 1881, on the woods on 

 Paxton Estate, the property of Col. David Milne Home, M.P., 

 9th Nov., 1883. 



About a quarter before twelve o'clock noon on the 14th October, 1881, 

 the sky assumed almost inky darkness, and one could hear the storm 

 approaching with a rushing sound ; the wind being almost due north. 



Some sashes on frames in the gardens here were lifted off and tossed 

 about like feathers, and a brick wall, 30 feet long and 8 feet high, in 

 connection with the forcing houses, was blown over. The storm reached 

 its height in this neighbourhood about one o'clock afternoon. 



The number of trees blown down on Paxton Estate was 456 ; a great 

 many more were also damaged of which no record was kept. The most 

 of the trees blown down consisted of hardwood, such as oak, beech, elm, 

 etc. In most cases the trees were lying with their tops to the south. A 

 few were lying south-east, but I attribute that a good deal to the position 

 of the woods. 



The storm must have run in currents, for some parts of the woods here 

 escaped, while in other parts very great damage was done. 



The Gardens, Paxton House, ALEX. McINTOSH. 



9th Nov., 1883. 



On Billie Estate, the property of Col. David Milne Holme, M.P. 

 Grange, Coldingham, 31st October, 1883. 



The number of trees blown down in Grange Plantation on the 14th 

 October, 1881, was about 14,000 Scotch fir, 2,000 larches, and 500 spruce 

 firs. The wind was from the north, audit seems to have run in currents, 

 as there are places where the trees are standing on both sides, and the 

 whole of the trees between levelled. All the trees in Grange Plantation 

 were lying in one direction ; but in regard to the trees that fell around 

 Auchencrow Mains farm-house, the wind had been a good deal more 

 from the east ; and the same happened in the Callside Plantation at 

 Bestonhill. There were 1,594 trees overturned on Eestouhill ; and 2,181 



