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



Carnations, &c. , have all been greatly injured. Other shrubs in the garden, 

 however, such as Weigelia, Yews, &c., have weathered the storm, and pre- 

 sent a healthy appearance. 



The feathered tribe also suffered severely. I, from time to time, came 

 upon a blackbird that had succumbed to the storm. I have still, however, 

 several survivors, but there is scarcely a thrush left. There is one, however, 

 at present hatching in an ivy bush, whose progeny, I hope, may be spared to 

 enliven us. 



Marchmont. By Mr Peter Loney. 



Writing May 7tli, 1879, Mr Loney says : — 



We have no swallows, thrushes, wrens, tits, or grey linnets yet. In fact 

 I never saw fewer birds at this day of the month and year. Then as to 

 vegetation it is very far back, the larch is looking a little green, thorns are 

 budding, horse-chestnuts and oak and ash are barren as winter. Elm in' 

 several instances in bloom, but generally speaking our woodlands have a very 

 wintry aspect. Grass has made but little growth, and where stocked is very 

 bare — it is a serious job on stock ; ewes and lambs are suffering severely 

 from inflammation, I believe caused as much by frost on the grass, as with 

 the scarcity of bite. In some instances hoggs are going down from the same 

 cause. The effects of the late winter with me have not been so disastrous as 

 with many. Oiir shrubs have stood well ; I have lost a few roses, but not 

 more than usual. 



Note of the Lowest Temperatures and the effects on Vegetation, at 

 Thirlestane Castle Garden, during the winter 1878-79. By Mr 

 James Whitton. 



Thirlestane Castle Garden is 558 feet above sea level, and is situated va. 

 the middle of an oblong valley, with hills enclosing it on the North -East, 

 West, and South- West, which rise to the height of about 1,000 feet. 



The lowest temperatures registered during the past winter are as follows : — 



THERMOMETERS 

 IN AIR AND BLACK BULB 







PROTECTED. 



ON GRASS 



878.— Dec. 



14 



1" 



0-3° 



,, 



15 



2 







,j 



20 



2 



0-1 



879.-Jan. 



20 



7 



1 



jj 



21 



8 



5 



5> 



23 



8 



I 





24 



5 







J, 



27 



5 



1 



Feb. 



20 



8 



4 



Mar. 



14 



7 



0-4 



