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



being that 1879 having an ahnost sunless summer, the young -wood never got 

 ripened. 



On this subject, Mr A. Kerr makes the following remarks as more particu- 

 larly applicable to the Border districts : — " In regard to fruit produce, it is 

 well known that in England and Scotland the present year (1880) has been 

 one of the most barren on record. This remark applies to Apples, Pears, 

 Plums, Apricots, and Peaches. This failure can only be attributed to the in- 

 fluence of excessive wet and the absence of solar heat throughout the entire 

 year of 1879, succeeded by an unprecedentedly early frost, as intense as that 

 of a Russian winter. This proved too much for vegetation in its immature 

 state, stopping and congealing the life-giving sap in the vessels of the plants, 

 rupturing the tissue in the tender unfinished growths, and thereby killing 

 them back to the old wood. As a natural consequence the trees produced 

 little blossom of a perfect kind ; and although I must admit having seen 

 numerous trees well furnished with flowers, the majority of these flowers, 

 when inspected by a practical eye, were found ' decrepid abortions,' showing 

 the fertilizing organs, less or more, incomplete, and therefore impotent to 

 produce fruit. Much depends also upon the weather, when the fertihzing 

 process is in operation. Should it happen to be cold and very wet, little fruit 

 may be expected. The combined influence of wet and cold robs the pollen of 

 its fertilizing quality, and this, together with other influences, affects the 

 fruit crop." J. H. 



Memorandum of Trees which suffered from the severe Winter of 1879, 

 in Tyneside District. By Mr John Balden, Jun. 



Ash.— The Ash has suffered most of all the deciduous trees, both young and 

 matured trees in many cases being killed. 



Elm. — Both the English and the "Wych have suffered, the latter especially, 

 from Frost -rent. 



Holly. — In low lying parts near the river (and consequently under the 

 influence of the Frost-rimes), many fine old trees have been killed, and others 

 severely damaged. In the higher parts they have not received quite so much. 



Lakch. — Among the whole of the Forest Trees none have fared worse than 

 this valuable tree ; in many places they have been killed by hundreds. In 

 plantations up to 30 years of age, the most damage has been done, the older 

 and mature trees have not suffered severely. 



Oak.— Damage to the Oak does not exceed the twigs and branches, although 

 some have suffered from Frost-rent. 



Poplar. — Twigs and small branches killed and growth checked. 



Privet, Thorn, and Whin suffered more or less, and growth thrown back 

 many years. 



Among the ornamental trees those which have suffered most are the Arau- 

 caria imbricata, Arborvitae, Cedrus deodara, Wellingtonia gigantea all of which 

 have either been killed or severely damaged. Also the Laurel has been 

 killed to the ground, 



Dilston Office, Corbridge-on-Tyne, Dec. 22, 1880. 



