334 THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY 
of distinction between what was acquired knowledge and 
what was spontaneous thought. And in this, as in the case 
of every popular writer, lay the secret ot his success in 
rendering interesting the most barren details of rural 
operations. We have long regarded Mr. Gorrie as one of 
the most intelligent writers on rural affairs and natural 
history which Scotland has produced ; and Scotchmen will 
do well to cherish his memory as that of one who in his 
quiet and unobtrusive life has done great and lasting good 
to their country by his personal influence, by his genial 
writings, and by his improvements in the art of rural in¬ 
dustry. Annat Cottage has long been in our minds the 
Selborne of Scotland, and Archibald Gorrie the Gilbert 
White thereof. Annat Cottage, when we first saw it, seemed 
to us of early, very early dreams, the combination of all 
that is beautiful and simple in rustic adornment, with that 
quietness and beauty within which can dwell only where the 
intelligent mind is linked to the generous heart, where 
nobleness and humility of character, devout love to God, 
and genuine affection in the family circle shed happiness 
over all. 
“In private life Mr. Gorrie was a man of genial and 
generous disposition, strict in the observance of religious 
ordinances, and of exemplary piety, ever ready to give 
friendly advice to the young, as a genuine Christian would, 
without one particle of hypocrisy or self-sufficiency, and 
ever prompt to check even the appearance of evil. He had 
withal a quiet humour, and a joyous smile played on his 
countenance while he told a droll story about some crack- 
brained naturalist, or detailed an interesting observation in 
science. It did one’s heart good to see an old man so 
happy. 
“ Mr. Gorrie was for many years an elder of the Free 
Church, and on at least one occasion he was chosen as a 
representative at the General Assembly. He took much 
interest in ecclesiastical affairs, as in everything calculated 
to advance the cause of religion; but he was ever ready to 
receive in a truly friendly manner those who differed from 
him in religious matters, and to converse with them in a 
spirit void of all offence, and that was calculated to make an 
impression that could not be soon effaced. 
“ Throughout his long life he was { continually doing 
good ’ in attempts to improve either the temporal lor the 
spiritual interests of those within his reach. 
“ Mr. Gorrie will be long remembered as a link that bound 
the naturalist of a past age with those of the present.” 
EFFECTS OF SPRING FROSTS ON PEAR 
BLOSSOMS. 
By Richard V arden, Esq., Seaford Grange, Pershore. 
(Continued from page 228, Vol. XVII.) 
7. The observations were extended to Perry kinds, 
but not knowing the names (many being unknown seed¬ 
lings), very little benefit could result, as the great dif¬ 
ference of their hardiness, even in similar localities, ren¬ 
dered averages or comparisons imperfect; for instance, it 
was found that the number of bad blossoms ranged as 
under:— 
A tree at 114 feet above 
sea level, all bad 
5 ) 
75 
5 > 
55 
55 
55 
03 
55 
55 
55 
55 
60 
55 
55 
55 
55 
48 
55 
55 
none bad 
5 > 
47 
55 
55 
55 
55 
45 
5 > 
55 
55 
55 
36 
55 
55 
55 
with almost every intermediate degree of damage in the 
others. These blossoms were taken without reference to 
average state, just as they happened to be gathered, and 
none of the trees named were particularly sheltered. 
8. On comparing the Perry trees growing on the western 
or sheltered side ot the hill, the average of 22 trees gave 33 
damaged blossoms in the 100; while, on the eastern or 
exposed side of the hill, the average of 33 trees gave 41 
damaged in the same number—a difference of about 25 per 
cent, in favour of the sheltered aspect. 
GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, August 25, 1857. 
0. Little or no difference was perceived in the amount 
of damage done to trees of 15 or 20 years old, and to 
trees of from 80 to 100 years; the average being 32 per 
cent, of damage to the former, and 31 to the latter. Quite 
young trees indicated a much larger amount of damage, but 
the point was not investigated, the necessary materials for a 
fair comparison not being at hand. 
The foregoing examinations were made on the 31st of 
April, and the 1st and 2nd of May, 1855; after which, 
owing to the occurrence of more severe frosts, which 
entirely destroyed the blossoms of many choice varieties, 
they were discontinued. There was no fruit (except Perry 
kinds) on any of the trees examined, except a few Williams’ 
Bonchretien. The May frosts completed the destruction of 
all the blossoms of table varieties. 
The temperature of the nights, as registered at Worcester, 
eight miles distant, at a spot 100 feet above the sea, was as 
follows:— 
Minimum 
Radiating 
in Shade. 
on Grass. 
March 1 
36 
321 
55 
5 
301 
281 
55 
6 
28 
241 
55 
7 
31 
28 
55 
8 
m 
26 
55 
9 
29 
27 
55 
10 
29 
28 
55 
12 
27 
241 
55 
14 
32 
30 
55 
20 
31 
28 
55 
22 
32 
3U 
55 
23 
321 
311 
55 
24 
311 
30 
55 
26 
241 
21 
55 
27 
26 
21 
55 
28 
31 
28 
55 
29 
30 
27f 
55 
30 
'25 
22 
55 
31 
28 i 
251 
April 2 
221 
18 
55 
3 
32 
31 
55 
5 
31 
28 
55 
18 
35 
31 
55 
19 
311 
26 ' 
55 
20 
38 
32* 
55 
21 
32 
27 
55 
23 
261 
22 
55 
24 
29 
25 
55 
26 
36 
30 
55 
27 
30 
24i 
55 
30 
32 
26 
Many of the foregoing frosts were accompanied by strong 
winds from the east 
and north-east, but 
not much wind 
from other 
quarters. 
The examination 
of the blossoms 
was made between this and the 3rd of May, after which the 
temperatures were as follow :— 
Minimum 
Radiating 
in Shade. 
on Grass. 
May 3 
28 
221 
55 
4 
33 
31 
55 
5 
25 
20 
55 
9 
28 
22 
55 
12 
36 
32 
55 
17 
35 
29 
55 
18 
30 
27 
55 
23 
371 
32 
The above observations add little or nothing to the exist¬ 
ing knowledge of frosts; but the results being given in 
figures, are in some respects more definite and convenient 
for comparison than description can be, and on this ground 
may prove interesting to fruit growers. Should the method 
of investigation adopted be considered sufficiently correct, 
the system might with advantage be extended to various 
localities, and the results, when collated, given as rules to 
assist fruit planters in the selection of sites and varieties for 
oxchards, &c., and might peidiaps lead to the discovery of 
laws regulating the action of frost at pi’esent hardly antici¬ 
pated. If such a labour were undertaken by the Bornolo¬ 
gical Society it would have great prospect of success. Per¬ 
haps the first series of experiments might with advantage 
