t:fects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 189 



We have not many Coniferse here, but such as we had have stood the 

 winter very well ; roses have suffered very much, Standards of the hybrid 

 perpetual family, from their being more exposed suffered most, so much so 

 that we may say none were left. No doubt a few struggled through, but 

 their vitality was of short duration. The dwarfs of the same type suffered 

 less, from their being easily protected ; but even of these about half died. 

 Tea roses were cut down to the ground, but where on their own roots are 

 now coming away quite strong. We had a large plant of Marechal Niel 

 entirely killed, though it had the protection of a wall, while the well-known 

 Gloire de Dijon, in good situations, came through unskathed. 



China roses, even on walls with southerly aspects, were cut down. On the 

 same wall the sweet bay, Laurus nohilis, Berberis Darwinii, and Buddlea 

 globosa, shared the same fate. Lavender was killed outright, as also Globe 

 Artichokes ; the Gynerium argenteuni (Pampas grass) has suffered much, 

 though well protected ; the plants may come round yet. Another grass, 

 the Arundo conspicua, seems hardier, having fared better than the above. 

 Tritomas of sorts are almost killed out, though they stand our ordinary 

 winter without hurt. 



Of shrubby plants the common Bay Laurel suffered most, the young im- 

 matured shoots in many cases being quite killed, though the general vitality 

 of the plant will not be permanently iujured. The Portugal Laurel has 

 suffered, if anything, very little ; and as interesting and suggestive, shewing 

 how situation more than distance above the sea has much to do with plant 

 life, at Lees, the seat of Sir John Marjoribanks, the Portugal Laurel is 

 very much hurt. The same applies with stronger force to the Bay Laurel — 

 one can almost account for this owing to the lowness of the situation, being 

 only a few feet above the level of the Tweed. The Lees from here is not 

 over a mile as the crow flies ; but as at variance with the above theory, at 

 Newton Don (Mr Balfour's), 8 or 9 miles from this, and almost due west, 

 and much higher above the level of the sea than here, the Laurels are much 

 hurt by frost ; so much so that many have had to be cut down. Such facts 

 are noteworthy, and deserve the attention of those whose business it is to 

 solve such seeming contradictions. 



Some of the rhododendrons have been injured by the frost ; they are of the 

 more tender kinds, evidently hybrids, having either parent from a warmer 

 clime. Clematis on the open has in some cases been killed. Aucubas have 

 had their foliage hurt ; but the plants not permanently injured. 



Jwne 12, 1879. 



Rosy-lanh, Coldstream. By William Cunningham, Esq. 

 I have, in my place, sustained a certain amount of damage. The 

 Jasminum (white and yeUow) which covered a considerable part of the front 

 and east end of the house has suffered materially, and also a large Wistaria 

 and other shrubs in front of the house ; while a climbing Clematis, a Gloire 

 de Dijon, and a Wellingtonia in and about the same situation, have retamed 

 their vitality. In the garden Spircea hella, Laurel, Rhododendrons, Ayr- 

 shire climbing Koses, large White Broom, Privets, large Lavender Bushes, 



