On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 825 



tree and shrub life than the winter of 1878-9. I think it has been the worst 

 in my experience. Ahnost all Portugal and Common Laurels and Hollies 

 have been cut down to the snow line. About half of the Evergreen Oaks 

 and a great many Yews have also suffered in low situations. After getting 

 about 70 or 80 feet above the level of the river, we have lost very few of the 

 above shrubs. Trees with us have not been so severely dealt with, although 

 a good many Oaks up to 50 years of age, have been considerably cut. But 

 the fine growing weather we had in summer, has enabled them almost to re- 

 cover. In coniferous trees we have not lost a great many. A few Cedrus 

 JDeodara, Araucaria imbrieata, Picea Pinsapo, and P. lasioearpa have been 

 considerably cut and discoloured. But Abies Douglasi, Picea Nordmanniana, 

 P. nobilis, and Wellingtonia gigantea have all stood very well. 

 November, 1880. 



Major Holland in transmitting these remarks, observes : — 

 " In my own small garden, almost the whole of the Eoses (more than 500 

 in number) were cut down by the frost of December 3rd and 4th to the snow 

 line. The thermometer registered here 1 degree P. minimum ; or 31 degrees 

 of frost. I felt indebted to the snow for a protection that enabled me to have 

 a very fine blow of Eoses when the summer came. The vigour of their 

 growth was something remarkable. I never saw shoots so long and so strong 

 thrown from the lower stems of the plants." 



Report of Injury to Trees, Evergreens, Sfc., at Shawdon, Northum- 

 berland, hy the Frost in the years 1879-80. By Mr James 

 Thomson. 



Shawdon HaU, the residence of W. J. Pawson, Esq., stands on the north 

 side of the Vale of Whittingham, 245 feet above the sea level. It is half-a- 

 mile distant from the river Aln, and owing to its situation and surroundings, 

 shrubs and evergreens planted here suffer much from frost. In December, 

 1879, the thermometer feU to 11^ below zero. The frost continued for 

 weeks, accompanied by a dense atmosphere, very destructive to vegetable 

 life. All the Laurels, young Hollies, and many Yews, were kiUed here by 

 this severe and continued frost. The winter of 1880 completed the destruc- 

 tion of many old Yews and HoUies that must have stood here, uninjured, at 

 least for a generation. " The Shawdon Hollies" are so much injured by the 

 frost of January, 1880, that it is doubtful whether they ever recover its 

 effects. The lowest temperature recorded here in this month was 13° below 

 zero. The Hollies referred to have been a feature of this place for several 

 generations. They consist of two rows, sixteen feet apart ; the row facing 

 south is composed of the Golden Edged, or Queen Holly. Originally there 

 were seventeen trees in this row, planted about seven feet asunder. The 

 height of the tallest tree in this row is 45 feet ; the other row consists of the 

 common Green Holly, and several of them have been blown down. Fifteen 

 trees are still standing, the bole of the largest measures seven feet in circum- 

 ference three feet from the ground. Two trees in this row are joined to- 

 gether, at a height of thirteen feet from the ground, the inarch is so complete 



