118 
E. MAWLEY—A SIMPLE METHOD OE 
number of observations correctly year after year are few and far 
between. Consequently the choice rests between a large number 
of plants with a very limited number of observers, and a small 
selection of plants with a large staff of observers. In my opinion, 
at all events for meteorological purposes, the number of plants 
cannot well be too small, nor can the observers be too numerous, 
provided they be trustworthy, and the observing stations equally 
distributed. 
To select quite a small number of plants is, however, no easy 
matter, when there are so many to choose from, and so many con¬ 
siderations to be borne in mind. In the first place their average 
dates of blossoming should occur at regular intervals throughout 
the flowering season. In the second, they should be familiar wild 
flowers and common throughout the British Isles. Thirdly, they 
should be species not likely to be mistaken for others by any 
ordinary observer. And lastly, trees and shrubs, where practicable, 
should have the preference over low-growing plants. With so 
many requirements to satisfy, it is not to be expected that any 
short selection, however carefully made, will meet with the approval 
of every one. If, however, it complies fairly well with the con¬ 
siderations I have stated, I do not very well see how the results 
can fail to be satisfactory. 
Uniformity of Observation .—We may have the most perfect 
selection of plants possible ; we may also have a splendid staff of 
accurate observers ; but unless the observations are made by all in 
precisely the same way, they will be scarcely worth the paper they 
are written upon, and it would be useless attempting to derive any 
satisfactory conclusions from them. 
The most important points on which uniformity should be in¬ 
sisted upon are the following:— 
The same individual trees and shrubs must be observed every 
year, and in the case of herbaceous plants those growing in the 
same spots. This is by no means a new rule, and yet it is one 
which has been perhaps overlooked more than any other, although 
the most important of them all. Many observers appear to think 
they have done all that is required of them if they enter on the 
recording sheet the date of the first flower of any plant on the list 
which they happen to come across during their rambles. Should 
this happen to be the first blossom of the kind in the whole district, 
they seem to consider that they have secured a great prize, and 
that their zeal is worthy of the highest commendation. Whereas 
were they to confine their attention to the one particular tree or 
group of plants they have decided to observe, their observation, 
instead of being altogether worthless, would supply the recorder 
with what he really wants. Tor it should never be forgotten that 
it is comparable observations, and those only, which are of any 
service to him. Tor the same reason the trees and other plants to 
be observed should be chosen with much care. Tor example, they 
should not be growing in very sheltered, or, on the other hand, in 
very exposed positions, for the entries made from them will not 
