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



previous summer. Hence when the winter of 1879-80 set in so severely, 

 everything suffered more or less. Portugal and Common Laurels, Aucuba 

 Japoniea, Clematises, Roses, Holly (both green and variegated), were MUed 

 right and left. Very many of the buds of Apple, Pear, and other fruit trees 

 were killed. The glass went down to zero. Those buds that escaped the 

 frost broke into life so weak that they soon became a prey of insect life. 

 Never did I see such a swarm of pests ; not only fruit trees and bushes, but 

 many forest trees lost nearly all their leaves. 

 October bth, 1880. 



Brenchhurn Priory. By C. H. Cadogan, Esq. 



With reference to the effect of the extreme cold that passed over the 

 Border counties in December, 1879, we appear to have nearly escaped its 

 ravages at Brenckburn, where nothing is killed, except one or two large 

 Hollies, and these most capriciously selected from out of a crowd of others, 

 very likely individuals of a tenderer type ; for I have in former cold winters 

 noticed the same thing, two Hollies side by side, the one killed, the other left 

 untouched, soil, situation, and every external appearance being equal. My 

 Araucarias are unhurt. Picea Cephalonica has the top killed about three feet, 

 tree thirty-five feet high, otherwise it is entirely uninjured. Cupressus 

 macrocarpa was killed to the ground, tree about 20 feet high. Picea Smithiana 

 severely injured, is alive and pushing again. Italian Artichokes are killed. 

 Whins, Blackberries, and Broom are generally killed. The top growth of 

 one of three Wellingtonias was killed about 6 inches ; otherwise they are not 

 hurt. These trees are all in near connection and close to the riverside. Of 

 course, the Common Laurels are killed in most places, but not in all situa- 

 tions. Virginian Creeper, on the wall of both house and church, is quite un- 

 injured ; but one on an unattached garden wall is almost entirely killed ; it 

 is alive and that is all. I attribute this capricious effect mainly to the very 

 narrow valley in which all the plants mentioned are placed. I think it too 

 narrow for the frost to gain full power ; or it may be the morning sun does 

 not afEect the place, owing to the high precipitous bank to the south and 

 south-east. 



20th October, 1880. 



Felton Park. By Mr John CROSSLma. 

 I am glad to inform you that the frost has not done so much harm here, as 

 at many other places. The shrubs have hardly been hurt, except the Laures- 

 tines and the Bays ; and I have lost a few Roses. The Peach trees also are 

 hurt, and there is no fruit this season. Apples are a bad crop. The hardest 

 frost was on the 4th of December, when we registered 32*^. We have a very 

 dry subsoil at Felton, which saves our shrubs. The Wasps have been most 

 dreadful this season. My men have already taken 112 nests round the 

 garden. We had almost none last season. Whence have they sprung after 

 so hard a season ? On account of their numbers, we will have very little 

 fruit left ; the more we kill the stronger they come. The slugs are almost as 

 bad. In milder winters we have them much less in quantity. 



