138 Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 



been injured. Fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables are about a month or six 

 weeks behind their usual this year. 



In a subsequent note, of 8th July, 1879, Mr Muirhead remarks : — " I 

 notice the oaks here are affected the same way as at Ormiston House (Mr 

 William Boyd's) ; a great number of their smaller branches being killed, and 

 the ground below them being littered with dead twigs." 



Ladyhirh Souse. By Mr Alexander Scott. 



The late winter has been the most severe we have had since I860, the frost 

 then being 36, and last December 35 degrees. During the winter there were 

 often from 20 to 30 degrees. Owing to the severe frost and the long con- 

 tinued snow, vegetables and many kinds of shrubs have been badly hurt. 

 Cedrus deodara, Araucaria imbrieata, Wellingtonia gigmitea, common and 

 Portugal laurels, lauristinus, ivy, clematis, Euonymus variegata, hoUies of 

 variegated sorts have all been less or more hurt ; and about 50 per cent, of 

 tea, hybrid perpetual, China, noisette roses have been entirely destroyed. 

 Spring and winter vegetables are nearly all destroyed. Broccoli, Brussels 

 sprouts, cabbages, savoys, and greens have been most hurt. Some of the 

 late sorts of apples are very much hurt, both the blossom-buds and spurs, 

 are destroyed Since the end of November there have not been two weeks 

 free of frost ; and lately it has been severe for the season of the year, causing 

 seeds to germinate badly, and it will cause a bad succession of garden crops. 

 Blackbirds, thrushes, linnets, squirrels, and the brown-backed garden mouse 

 have been reduced in numbers very much. Not a third remains of their 

 usual number. Slugs also are not nearly so plentiful as they are in most 



Ladyhirh, llth May, 1879. 



Notes as to the Effects of the late Winter, 1878-9, at The Hirsel, 

 Coldstream, the seat of the Earl of Some. By Mr John Cairns, 

 Hirsel. 



The grounds and gardens at The Hirsel are comparatively low-lying, and 

 are bounded on the south-west by a lake of considerable extent. The Leet 

 runs through the grounds from N.W. to S.E. I am not quite sure as to the 

 height above sea level, but should suppose about 50 to 60 feet. 



As being of first moment to the subject at issue, I give the lowest tempera- 

 ture, and number of days in each month in which the thermometer was 

 below the freezing points : — 



LOWEST DAYS BELOW 



MONTH. 



DATE. 



TEMPERATURE. FE 



EEZTNG 



November . 



29th 



9° of frost 



22 



December . 



14th 



2° below zero 



30 



January 



24th 



29° of frost 



30 



February 22, 



24, 25, and 26 



11° „ 



20 



March 



20th 



17° „ 



20 



April 



19th 



9° „ 



14 



May 



Ist 



9*^ „ 



6 



