On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 323 



Cedar of Lebanon, many quite dead, others still sickly. 



Of the Deodar Cedar, as yet none are dead, but going fast. 



Wellingtonia gigantea, some that were planted J8 years ago, are nearly 

 dead, others have lost branches from the ground to nearly half their height ; 

 in low situations, on strong clayey-loam, they are worst ; on soil of a lighter 

 nature, and only a few feet higher, they are in the best of health. 



Hollies, in iow situations, are nearly all killed to the ground, those in the 

 higher and more exposed parts of the park are but little hurt. Laurel, Por- 

 tugal, killed to the ground. 



Laurel, Bay, dead to the ground, many are now sprouting. 



Wistaria Sinensis, one plant which must be amongst the oldest in this 

 country, was nearly killed to the ground. It covered some 1350 feet of wall. 

 Box tree, many are quite dead. Araucaria, several are quite dead. 



Eoses, Standards, all but 2 or 3 are dead, although protected with fern and 

 straw. 



Apple, Standards, of large size, planted nearly 50 years, are now all but 

 dead ; some sorts have sustained more damage than others, but none are now 

 producing fruit. 



Apricots, on south walls, some are dead, others sickly ; several young trees 

 are healthy, having been protected with mats previous to the frost being so 

 severe. 



Peaches, not many grown outside ; what are were protected in a way 

 similar to Apricots, and are now very healthy. 



Chillingham Gardens, July 21nd, 1880. 



Mr Bowie in his accompanying letter says : " The sad havoc amongst our 

 trees and shrubs is to me a matter of great regret, having planted the greater 

 part of them, and having been in the habit of looking on them as very near 

 relations, for a number of years. Despite of the loss we have sustained, 

 Chillingham is still very beautiful— nothing that I know of as a park sur- 

 passing ' The Home of the Wild Cattle.' I am uncertain as to the lowest 

 temperature we had last winter ; that which I noticed was 9° below zero, but 

 our thermometer having been exposed for some years, I fancy that it might 

 not be quite correct ; the more so, as some of our neighbours, at only a mile 

 and a half from us, had as much as 7° more, but even the lowest we had 

 would not have done the damage it has, had we been blessed with a more 

 propitious summer. I am very glad to tell you that almost none of our 

 healthy young specimens of Coniferte are at all injured, which is one thing to 

 be very thankful for." 



Reporting to the Gardeners' Chronicle, in August, Mr Bowie says of the 

 fruit crop : — " Since the formation of the garden, in which fruit is growing 

 (upwards of fifty years ago), there has not been such a scanty crop (small 

 fruits excepted) grown outside against walls, and as Standards ; I might 

 almost with truth say of many sorts we have none, all are most unhealthy, 

 and of some sorts many trees are dead." 



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