On the Effects of the Winter of 1879-80. 335 



Temperatures, ^e., in the Hexham District, for Decemher, 1879. 

 By Mr "William Trotter, Soutli Acomb, Stocksfield. 



Snow fell on six days, and the amount when melted amounted to 0-82 of 

 an inch. The rainfall in the corresponding month of last year was 3*62 in. 

 The total rainfall for the year ending December 31st, amounts to 29-00 in., 

 against 35 inches for the previous year ; the decrease on the year being 6-00 

 inches. The temperature for the month was about an average. The first 

 week was exceedingly cold, being the coldest on record in the locality. The 

 second week was also below an average ; but the third and fourth weeks 

 were much above an average, there being only two cold days, viz., 26th and 

 27th. On the 4th the minimum thermometer stood at 1 degree, or 31 de- 

 grees of frost ; and on the grass at 5 degrees below zero, or 37 degrees of 

 frost. The maximum thermometer in shade during the day did not reach 

 more than 16 degrees, or 16 degrees of frost. The mean temperature of the 

 week was only 20 degrees. The nearest approach to the cold on the 4th was 

 on Christmas Day, 1860, when the readings were 2 degrees higher. Barometer 

 variable: highest reading (corrected) 30 542 inches on the 10th; lowest 

 (corrected) 29-502, on the 27th. Snow fell on 1st, 2nd, and 5th. Gales 

 occurred on 27th and 28th. Beautiful lunar halo on 28th at 6 p.m. Prevail- 

 ing winds SW. to NW. on 24 days ; on remainings 7 days from NE. to SE. 



Mr Trotter makes the following observations : — "Newton Hall, Col. Joicey's, 

 stands at a considerable elevation above the river Tyne, and between two and 

 three miles north of it, opposite to Stocksfield Station. The frost there was 

 not nearly so intense ; the instrument showed 3 degrees below zero. There 

 was scarcely any damage. A few Common Laurels suffered, and some double 

 flowered Furze was damaged. At Minsteracres, the seat of Henry Silvertop, 

 Esq., which stands considerably higher than even Newton Hall, but on the 

 south side of the Tyne, nearly on the crest of the high hills which divide the 

 valleys of the Tyne and the Derwent, there was comparatively no injury 

 done. I was over the crest on the evening of the 3rd December— the coldest 

 night in 1879 — after dark. The road is very much exposed, and it was cer- 

 tainly very cold, but it was infinitely worse, when 1 got into the vale. On 

 the hills the atmosphere was quite clear, but in the bottom there was a damp 

 haze, and do as one would, one could not keep the cold out. The frost at 

 Stocksfield was 5 degrees below zero. At Riding Mill, two miles west, it was 

 16 degrees below zero. How there happened to be a difference of 10 degrees 

 in so short a distance, and at about the same altitude, is a matter of conjec- 

 ture. There is no doubt of the accuracy of the observer." 



On my way to Gilsland, Sept. 28th, I halted at Hexham. Near Stocks- 

 field, I noticed the havoc among the Lombardy Poplars. One of the com- 

 pany remarked that in Derbyshire, where he had been recently, most of the 

 Poplars were destroyed. The Oaks there, I saw, had suffered, and were full 

 of new shoots, and in the plantations about Hexham, the young trees carried 

 crops of summer-formed leaves, as if in a state of rejuvenescence. At the 

 Beacon, Admiral Waddilove's, high Hollies were much shattered, and some 

 Laurestines were cut down. I was told that over that part of the country, 

 there was very little fruit on trees, either old or young, one reason assigned 



