318 MEETINGS. 



" At that early period of the year there were no out-door 

 crops to suffer much, but the stocks of potatoes and roots, 

 which were only covered with the usual slight protection, 

 were, in many instances, completely destroyed, some farmers 

 affirming they had lost many pounds' worth of seed potatoes. 



" In green-houses, potato plants suffered severely, and 

 even peas, though generally hardy enough to stand all the 

 winter frosts in the open, were in many instances rendered 

 valueless, and where not actually dug up, have yielded com- 

 paratively poor crops. Freesias in boxes and in the soil of 

 green-houses, where the flowering stem was already developed, 

 were completely destroyed, even the bulbs perishing ; but where 

 the leaves were only just above ground no harm was done. 



" The Nerine (Guernsey lily) were in most places com- 

 pletely killed, nurserymen thus suffering severely. 



" Many cacti and nearly all the geraniums were killed. 

 Even where fires were burning and a good heat maintained in 

 the house generally, the cold air and snow penetrated close 

 under the glass and destroyed the foliage. 



" There was great destruction among ornamental trees 

 and shrubs. Guernsey has long been a noted acclimatization 

 station, but it will take years to replace plants which had 

 thoroughly established themselves and become practically 

 naturalised among us. Fuschias generally have been cut 

 down to the roots, but will shoot again and soon recover. 

 New Zealand flax has generally perished, though in a few 

 instances a few sheltered roots are shooting afresh. Gum- 

 trees seem completely destroyed, though one thought that in 

 their native country they were often exposed to frosts as 

 severe. The Cordylines, forming such a conspicuous ornament 

 in many frontages, have almost universally perished, a few 

 apparently sheltered from the direct drift of the frozen storm 

 have escaped, and will revive. Myrtles and heath trees have 

 been cut down. 



" Yet, amidst this destruction, the trees of camellias and 

 rhododendrons continued blooming profusely, and now in the 

 first week of April, vegetation generally is more forward than 

 usual at this period, and when the withered stumps of perished 

 trees are removed, the frost of January, 1894, will be for- 

 gotten." 



Monthly Meeting held on May 9th, 1894, Mr. E. D. Marquand, 

 President, in the chair. 

 After disposing of the formal business of the evening, the 

 President said he had great pleasure in recording the occur- 



