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



that the two trees form one head. These interesting old Hollies were 

 severely injured by the frost of 1879 ; and the winter of 1880 has killed most 

 of their branches, and although new shoots are breaking from the main stems, 

 it is doubtful whether they will ever recover the effects of two such severe 

 winters. There is no means of judging the age of these Hollies ; George 

 Henderson, now in his 95th year, played under them when a boy, and they 

 appeared old trees at that time. The Cedrus Deodaras here are Idlled to the 

 ground, the same fate has befallen the Sequoias, which grow rapidly here ; 

 but the rarer Coniferae have never been really grown here in sufficient num- 

 bers to test their hardiness. 



The effects of the frost of January last in the Flower and Kitchen Garden 

 here, were the destruction of every Standard Rose, with many of the Dwarf 

 varieties. Peach trees are killed ; they escaped the frost of 1879, which, in 

 its results, cannot be compared to the destruction caused by the frost of 1880 

 in this district. Many Oaks standing in certain situations are killed, or so 

 severely injured that they have to be cut down. The Furze that covered 

 many heights around this place are killed to the ground ; in many places the 

 Heather has suffered severely. Judging from the effects, the frost of the 

 years 1879-80 has been more destructive to vegetable life in this neighbour- 

 hood than any frost on record. 



EsUngton ParTc. By Mr Joseph Oliver. 



Eslington Park, one of the seats of the Earl of Eavensworth, is situated 

 close to the Aln, and is ten miles west from Alnwick, and one-and-a-half 

 from the foot of Ryle Hills. 



During the long and severe winter of 1878-9, although the thermometer 

 marked (at four different times) 6" below zero, yet the damage done to ever- 

 green shrubs and trees was nothing in comparison to that done during the 

 two nights' severe frost which occurred in the beginning of December, 1879, 

 when the thermometer fell to 9° below zero. 



At the former period only the lower branches of Common and Portugal 

 Laurels were killed. Evergreen Oaks and Garrya elliptica were both killed 

 back to the main stems. During the two nights' frost in December last, 

 every plant of both Portugal and Common Laurels was killed down to the 

 ground. Even the Hollies have suffered in a way we never could have ex- 

 pected. Many fine plants that have been planted over fifty years have been 

 killed to within three feet of the ground. It is rather strange that the varie- 

 gated varieties have suffered much less than the common sorts. Garrya 

 elliptica, Aucuba Japoniea, Evergreen Oaks, and a large plant of Wistaria 

 Sinensis growing upon the front of the house, have all been killed to the 

 ground. Many of the Apple trees have suffered severely, but none are killed. 

 Strange to say the Coniferae have almost escaped without any injury, with 

 the exception of one plant of Cedar of Lebanon, about twelve feet high, 

 which is entirely killed — no other harm is done. This plant was growing 

 about seventy yards from the river Aln, and about seven feet higher than the 

 bed of the river. Other plants of the same variety, growing upon higher 

 ground, and a little further from the river, are quite unhurt. Rhododendron 



