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



■woods were killed on many varieties, but as far as seen, none outright, though 

 in many cases the bark of both Oak and other trees was split up somewhat 

 similar to what was found on the Portugal Laurel and Holly. This will in a 

 year or two be seen more fully, no doubt. Fruit trees suffered in a large de- 

 ^gree, for the frost came on us when the trees were in full leaf and full of sap. 

 Many Apricot and Apple trees were killed outright, minus the stock, or other- 

 wise so damaged that renewal is found necessary in many cases ; as in some 

 varieties four year old wood was killed, and the older branches so split that 

 they had to be cut out entirely. Some varieties of the common Ivy were also 

 killed, and in all cases the leaves were killed as well as the current year's 

 growth. 



November 2^th, 1880. 



Floors and Bowmont Forest. By Mr Samuel Eeid. 



The Oak trees at Floors some two, and others of three years growth were 

 cut off ; Spanish Chestnuts in the nursery were cut to the ground ; Cedrus 

 Deodara was very much cut up ; also in young "Wellingtonia the leaders were 

 all cut off. Of Yew trees, where much exposed the tops died off. Hollies 

 were all cut back. In shrubs. Bay Laurels, Portugal Laurels, and Laures- 

 tinus, were ail cut to the ground. Aucuba was treated similarly. 



Mahonia and Rhododendrons are the two shrubs not injured by the frost. 

 At Floors, trees that have escaped are Ash, Beech, Birch, Horse Chestnut, Elm, 

 Wych, and English, Laburnum, Lime, Sycamore, Poplars, Larch, Scotch 

 Fir, and Spruce. Abies Bouglasi, Silver Fir, Picea nobilis, P. Nordmanniana, 

 Finus Austriaca, P. Cemhra, F. Zaricio, Thujo^^sis Borealis, and Cupresus 

 Lawsoniana, have all escaped without injury. The lowest temperature at 

 Floors was 13° below zero. At Bowmont Forest the damage is very light. 

 The trees are mostly Larch, Scotch Fir, and Spruce, which stood the frost 

 without injury. There are a few Oaks which were not in the least affected. 

 Shrubs that were cut to the ground at Floors, were not damaged here. Green 

 Hollies, Aucuba Japonica, and Bay Laurels were not injured ; but it is quite 

 a change when you get down to the Kale-banks, just below Caverton Mill. 

 In that quarter there are a good many Oaks that are quite dead, a great deal 

 worse than they were at Floors ; where nearest to the water, most damage 

 has been done. I have no account of the temperature at Bowmont Forest. 



2ith Nov., 1880. 



Ormiston House. By William B. Boyd, Esq. 



The winter of 1879 and 1880 was one of the most severe within my recol- 

 lection. The storm commenced on the 1st Dec, with a fall of snow 8^ inches 

 deep, with the thermometer shewing 12* of frost, which increased in inten- 

 sity till the morning of the 4th Dec, when the thermometer at daybreak 

 shewed 50° of frost, or 18° below zero. My thermometer was quite unpro- 

 tected, and only 2| feet from the ground. The damage done to trees and 

 shrubs was great, and would have been more so had we not had a good cover- 

 ing of snow, AU the Oak trees growing below an elevation of 60 feet above 



