54 PROCEEDINGS: BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 
report lie liad to mention a discouraging loss. " I may say that al- 
most everything planted seems to have taken root, those you first 
put in are Inidding freely, although I regret to say that on Friday last 
we had a moderate gale whieh histed al)f)ut 24 hours when the wind 
at times exceeded 40 miles an hour. I find that on the trees with .soft 
leaves which had just opened, they were burned ofi" as if from frost. 
The pines and spruces were not affected as far as could be observed." 
In the fall of 1901, November 5th, Supt. Bouteillier wrote, "With 
regard to the condition of the trees the latter part of the summer was 
very dry, so much so that our vegetables are less than a half crop, so 
that you can see it must have been trying for the trees. 
" Rainfall — 
June, 2.38 inches; spread well over the whole month; fogs as well. 
July, 2.90 inches; spread well over the whole month; fair; warmer. 
August 1 to 13, 3.36 inches; no fogs; very warm. 
. September 8 to 30, 1.65 inches; no fogs; very warm; dry gales. 
October 3 to 24, 3.60 inches; no fogs; warm; some high winds. 
"You will see from this that the trying time was from August 13 
to October 3, with only 1.65 of rain, no fogs and very warm weather 
for Sable Island. The thermometer averaged high all summer. 
"This drought killed most of the weaklings, and the high winds 
burned the leaves oft' the deciduous trees between September 21 and 
26, during which time it blew a continuous gale from S. W. around to 
north. After the gale subsided, the leaves were as though a fire had 
run close to the trees and scorched them. It was not cold, and we 
have had no frost yet. 
"Many of these trees were very promising, and some of them are 
budding again since we have had rains. * * * 
" Now, as I think I have shown you the worst side, I will show the 
other. All the evergreens looked dull during the drought, but after 
we had a few rains they improved wonderfully. All the pines, ex- 
cept the white pine P. sirohus are looking splendidly and have made 
growth. The plants from the pine seed also grew well, but lately I 
noticed that many were turning a bluish cast. Some spruces sur- 
vive, but few look promising. Arbor-vitae sufi"ered much from 
drought, but there are many promising specimens in various locali- 
ties. 
"This general statement of the conditions of the trees applies to 
all planted in the various localities, but I think Gourdeau Park, l^'o 
