366 



NOTES AND NEWS. 



Subsequent observations showed that atmospheric influence 

 could not be the sole agent, but that situation, and soil, too, had 

 each a share in the general result. With respect to soil, both trees 

 flourish best on good, rich land ; but the ash seems more delicate 

 than the oak, and does not thrive so well on poor land. Of the 

 efl'ect of situation I will give an instance. There are two ash trees, 

 equally vigorous, growing in a hedge so near together that a portion 

 of their branches interlace. Their position is such, they equally 

 receive the sun's rays from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, but one 

 tree on its eastern aspect enjoys the sun for some time before he has 

 southed sufficiently to touch the other tree. In consequence of this 

 the tree which first catches the sun has always been in advance of 

 the other for the three years I have had them under observation. 

 I have noted that saplings, whether oak or ash, unless unfavourably 

 placed, commence leafing first, young trees come next, and old ones 

 last of all. In woods trees are not so forward as in open ground, 

 unless it be a few favourably placed on the outskirts. 



In the process of leafing, the ash shows to considerable dis- 

 advantage. An oak with leaves no further out than those of a 

 neighbouring ash will be perceived at a far greater distance, owing 

 to their much lighter colour, so that a close examination is requisite. 

 If the leafing is to be considered an evidence of vigour, and a 

 waking up from the dormant state of winter, it can scarcely be 

 considered a fair test, for the ash flowers before leafing, which is not 

 the case with the oak, whose flowers do not precede the leaf. 



It seems strange that two trees, diff"ering so much in their manner 

 of leaflng, should have been chosen as indicators of the kind of 

 Aveather to follow. In the country remarks on the subject may be 

 heard every spring, and often, from very slight observation, sage 

 predictions made ; but I consider them worthless, because they are 

 far often er contradicted than verified by the subsequent weather. 



I may mention that this year, 1887, on the i6th of May, 

 neither oak nor ash were m leaf; but on the 30th of April and also 

 2nd of May I noticed several ash trees in full flower, whilst the buds 

 on the oak trees had scarcely any appearance of swelling. On May 

 14th the oak here and there showed plainly in the sun that the buds 

 were swelling, and the flowers of the ash dying away and the samara 

 beginning to form. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 



NOTES AND NEWS. 



It is gratifying to observe that four members of the Executive of the Yorkshire 

 Naturahsts' Union were chosen upon various sectional committees of the British 

 Association at the Manchester ^^leeting, viz., Messrs. J. W. Davis, Halifax 

 (Geology and Anthropology) ; C. P. Hobkirk, Dewsbury (Biology) : Wm. Cash, 

 Halifax (Geology), and S. A. Adanison, Leeds (Geology). 



Naturalist, 



