On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 319 



developing to an extraordinary degree the puzzling disease which results in 

 the death of large branches, and sometimes the whole tree, throughout the 

 summer. This however, by the way. Only it is well when estimating the 

 damage occasioned by last wiuter's frost that this fact should not be lost 

 sight of. 



Perhaps the greatest individual damage effected by the severity of the past 

 two or three years has been borne by a fine old Walnut tree, staading in the 

 green in front of the gardener's cottage here. This particular tree had a 

 large Umb removed some years back, and to this Lord Haddington attributes 

 the primary cause of its decay. The Psoci which are so destructive to the 

 foliage of some fruit trees, have also had a share in the mischief. Last sum- 

 mer these insects destroyed to a leaf the whole foliage of this tree, and the 

 fine autumn induced the growth of young shoots, which were caught by the 

 frost of December. This year the tree stands with all the smaller branches 

 and twigs dead, and young growths pushing from the main trunk and large 

 branches. The large Strawberry trees which stood in various positions in 

 the shrubbery and on the lawns near the house have, with the exception of 

 one specimen, been irretrievably damaged. Several have been cut down to 

 the ground, and the remainder look as if it were a mere question of time for 

 them to follow. The south-east wind which has been already alluded to as 

 being so destructive to the Garrya elliptica, was not seconded by the frost in 

 the case of this shrub, so that this fine decorative shrub may be considered 

 frost-proof in this locality. Two large specimens of Sweet Bay were killed 

 to the ground, others killed at the points of the shoots, and some not at all 

 damaged. In aU cases these are making strong young growths again. 

 Laurestinuses were served in the same manner ; in some positions some were 

 killed to the ground, some considerably cut up, and others had only the 

 foliage destroyed. Some that were not cut over in spring have since given 

 way under the force of the sun. A fine Laurestinus hedge, 10 feet high by 8 

 feet in breadth, was cut in to 8 feet in height by 5 feet through ; up to the 

 present date it is making a very satisfactory young growth. It is, however, 

 not to be depended on, as the bark of many of the main stems is split at the 

 base. All ie«/c«s^m«/ormos« was kiUed to ground. Benthamia fragifera scndi 

 Escallonia macrantha in open shrubberies, were kiUed slightly back ; Aucuha 

 Japonica was more or less damaged. Geanothus was the only shrub on walls 

 killed back. Myrtles, however, were somewhat damaged. At Smeaton, 

 where the lowest winter temperature was only 5°, Myrtles and Escallonias 

 are killed on walls. Commoner shrubs, as Laurels, were only damaged, in 

 so far as the watery growths of 1879 were kiUed. AU Eoses, with the ex- 

 ception of Moss Koses in the open border, and Gloire de Dijon on walls, were 

 cut back ; Fuchsia Hiceartoni the same. Tritomas, Salvia patens, Gynerium 

 argenteum, Agapanthus vmiellatus, were aU killed down, but are making 

 strong growths again. A New Zealand Flax {Phormium tenax) is probably 

 killed outright. Two or three old Apple trees (not in good health previously) 

 were killed ; many others damaged. Fig tree was kiUed at point of shoots, 

 but again bearing this autumn. All kinds of vegetables, with the exception 

 of young Cabbages, young Cauliflowers, Parsley, Spinach, young Lettuces, 

 Brussels Sprouts, and Celery, were kiUed. 



