Flowering Precocity Research Articles

Rootstock effect on growth, branch morphology and flowering precocity of young monoaxis and biaxis trees of ‘Scilate’ and ‘Fuji supreme’ apple cultivars

Rootstock effect on growth, branch morphology and flowering precocity of young monoaxis and biaxis trees of ‘Scilate’ and ‘Fuji supreme’ apple cultivars

Desempenho produtivo e fisiológico de genótipos de jambu cultivados em hidroponia

ABSTRACT Jambu is a condiment herb used in the preparation of typical and herbal dishes in the Amazon Region. The inflorescences, leaves, and stems of the plant are used. In addition, jambu has numerous applications in the cosmetics and food industries due to the presence of the bioactive compound spilanthol. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive and physiological performance of jambu genotypes of Acmella oleracea, and Acmella ciliata species grown in hydroponics. The experiment used was a completely randomized design with eight treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of jambu genotypes (UFR-1, UFR-2, UFR-3, UFR-4, UFR-5, UFR-6, UFR-7 and UFR-8) collected in different locations in the state of Pará. We evaluated the beginning of flowering, length of the main branch, diameter of the main branch, leaf area, shoot fresh mass, inflorescence fresh mass, root fresh mass, total fresh mass, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, and instant carboxylation efficiency. The genotypes presented different behaviors about the productive and physiological growth characteristics. The genotypes UFR-1, UFR-2, UFR-3, UFR-4 and UFR-7 exhibited greater precocity of flowering. In general, genotypes of the species A. oleracea presented lower rate of net photosynthesis when compared to those of the species A. ciliata. The genotypes of A. oleracea showed total fresh mass accumulation capacity, in addition to a high potential for inflorescence production. The genotypes UFR-2 and UFR-4 stood out because they presented higher yields of shoots fresh mass and inflorescences, respectively. Therefore, these genotypes should be considered in crop improvement programs.

Selection index via REML/BLUP for identifying superior banana genotypes in the central region of Goiás state, Brazil

ABSTRACT This study had the aim of evaluating 15 agronomic characters of 23 banana genotypes of the Cavendish, Prata, Prata-Anã, Pacovan, Mysore and Maçã groups, in three production cycles, in the climatic conditions of the central region of Goiás state, Brazil, identifying superior cultivars. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design, with replicates varying from 3 to 18 clones according to the availability of seedlings. Because of the unbalanced data, the components of variance were estimated using the mixed model methodology. In order to identify the superior genotypes, the predicted mean genotypic values were taken into account. The FHIA-02 (Cavendish group), PA42-44 (Prata Anã group) and FHIA-18 (Prata Anã group) genotypes presented the highest flowering precocity. The Bucanero, FHIA-17 (Cavendish group) and Grande Naine genotypes were the most productive. The Grande Naine, FHIA-17 and FHIA-02 genotypes presented the lowest sizes, and the FHIA-17, Bucanero and PV79-34 (Hybrid Pacovan) genotypes the largest pseudo stems circumferences. The genotypes with the lowest mortality rates were the Pacovan, Garantida (group Prata) and Calipso. Based on the multi-trait selection index, it was concluded that the FHIA-17, Grande Naine, Bucanero, and FHIA-02 genotypes were the most promising cultivars for production in the central region of Goiás due to their agronomic characters and high yield.

‘SCS425 Luiza’: new apple cultivar with medium chilling requirement and resistant to glomerella leaf spot (colletotrichum spp.)

Abstract Apple is one of the main agribusiness products of temperate-zone fruits in Southern Brazil. More than 90% of apple production is obtained from only two apple cultivars – Gala and Fuji and their mutations. These apple varieties are insufficiently adapted to the regional climate and ‘Gala’ and its mutations are also susceptible to glomerella leaf spot – GLS, currently the main apple disease in Brazil. ‘SCS425 Luiza’ cultivar was developed by Epagri / Estação Experimental Caçador, aiming to offer to the production chain an early apple variety better adapted to the environmental conditions of Southern Brazil and resistant to GLS. ‘SCS425 Luiza’ cultivar was obtained by artificial hybridization carried out in 2001 using the cultivars Imperatriz and Cripps Pink as parents. ‘SCS425 Luiza’ has lower chilling requirement compared to ‘Galaxy’, higher flowering precocity and yield potential at least equivalent to ‘Galaxy’. It produces fruits with skin finish, flavor and flesh texture adequate for the Brazilian market and storability similar to ‘Galaxy’ apples when harvested at the same maturity.

On the characterization of flowering curves using Gaussian mixture models

In this paper, we develop a statistical methodology applied to the characterization of flowering curves using Gaussian mixture models. Our study relies on a set of rosebushes flowering data, and Gaussian mixture models are mainly used to quantify the reblooming properties of each one. In this regard, we also suggest our own selection criterion to take into account the lack of symmetry of most of the flowering curves. Three classes are created on the basis of a principal component analysis conducted on a set of reblooming indicators, and a subclassification is made using a longitudinal k-means algorithm which also highlights the role played by the precocity of the flowering. In this way, we obtain an overview of the correlations between the features we decided to retain on each curve. In particular, results suggest the lack of correlation between reblooming and flowering precocity. The pertinent indicators obtained in this study will be a first step towards the comprehension of the environmental and genetic control of these biological processes.

Ethephon and prohexadione-calcium influence the flowering, early yield, and vegetative growth of young ‘Northern Spy’ apple trees

‘Northern Spy’ apple trees have a relatively long non-fruiting period following planting, which reduces their economic feasibility of production. Previous work supporting the benefits of ethephon (ETH) for enhancing flowering precocity on bearing apple trees was the impetus behind the present study in which ‘Northern Spy’ and ‘Jonagold’ were treated with ETH to determine its effects on flowering, early yield, and vegetative growth. Early summer ETH application significantly increased flowering the year following treatment, with a greater effect from a higher concentration or a second application. Flower clusters per tree on 4th-leaf ‘Northern Spy’/M.9 increased from a mean of 4.0 (1.6±0.4ln transformed) on control trees to as much as 18.7 (3.0±0.4ln transformed) following ETH treatment. Increased flowering also translated into significantly greater yield at harvest. Two applications of 1500mgL−1 ETH applied 5 and 8 weeks after full bloom (WAFB) were particularly effective on three-year-old ‘Northern Spy’/M.9, where fruit yield increased by 2.6kgtree−1 (1.0±0.4ln transformed), or ≈2.4tha−1. This study supports the use of ETH applications on young ‘Northern Spy’ apple trees in the year prior to expected initial bearing to increase flowering and early fruit production.

Florescimento e frutificação do maracujazeiro silvestre Passiflora setacea D. C. cultivado em Jaboticabal, SP

Muitas espécies de Passiflora apresentam comportamento florífero diferente durante o ano e, consequentemente, com variações nas produções e períodos de colheitas, como observado para o maracujazeiro-amarelo (Passiflora edulis sims). Estudo com espécies silvestre constitui-se numa importante alternativa para usos de novos genótipos no melhoramento das espécies cultivadas comercialmente, em especial, a Passiflora setacea, devido ao grande potencial de mercado; contudo, essa espécie é pouco estudada, principalmente em relação à propagação, germinação, floração e condições de armazenamento. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o florescimento e a frutificação do maracujazeiro silvestre Passiflora setacea cultivado em Jaboticabal-SP. A floração e a frutificação foram avaliadas pelo percentual de frutificação através da polinização natural e artificial das flores, realizado no período de agosto a outubro. As características físicas dos frutos foram avaliadas através dos seguintes parâmetros: a) massa do fruto (g); b) diâmetro longitudinal do fruto (cm); c) diâmetro transversal do fruto (cm); d) espessura da casca (cm); e) rendimento de polpa (%). A característica química foi determinada por meio do teor de sólidos solúveis (SS). Verificou-se que a Passiflora setacea apresentou precocidade de floração em relação ao maracujazeiro-amarelo, com florescimento durante o ano todo, nas condições de Jaboticabal-SP. Observou-se que essa espécie possui bom nível de tolerância às doenças foliares, resistência à morte precoce e apresenta diferentes níveis de compatibilidade entre as plantas, possibilitando a essas características serem utilizadas em programas de melhoramento genético. Constatou-se ainda que as características físicas encontradas nos frutos atendem às exigências da indústria.

Foliar application of the exogenous plant hormones at pre-blooming stage improves flowering and fruiting in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

The problem of declining tree yield has led to an investigation into the effectiveness of foliar application of exogenous hormones to improve flowering, fruit set, and fruit retention in cashew. Five exogenous hormones, one Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and four Auxins (IAA, IBA, NAA, and 2,4-D) at seven different rates of application (0 mg L−1, 10 mg L−1, 25 mg L−1, 50 mg L−1, 100 mg L−1, 250 mg L−1, and 500 mg L−1) were tested on six yield-related components of the two Brazilian cashew genotypes. This trial was a factorial split-split-plot design with each treatment replicated five times within a tree and three replications (three trees) per genotype. Responses varied significantly between exogenous hormones, concentrations and genotypes. The cashew plants used showed hormone-specific and optimum concentration response patterns. Of the five exogenous hormones tested, GA3 was most effective as its application at 50–100 mg L−1 gave five-fold improvements in flowering (precocity and number of hermaphrodite flowers) and fruiting, and about 69% increase in fruit retention ability and 25% in nut size. Panicles treated with GA3 also produced relatively bigger nuts compared to the untreated. Days to flowering was found to be hormone sensitive, while production of hermaphrodite flowers, fruit set, and nut development tended to be concentration specific. The GA3 exhibited a broad concentration tolerance among the five exogenous hormones investigated. Our data showed that using GA3 at 50 mg L−1 will enhance flowering precocity, shorten flowering duration, increase production of hermaphrodite flowers and fruit set significantly, and resultant nuts develop optimally with high percentage retention. Thus, it suggests cashew yield could be increased by exogenous foliar application of GA3 at 50–100 mg L−1 at pre-blooming stage.

Flowering induction in radicchio (cichorium intybus l.var silvestre bischoff):the influence of vernalization in different types and classes of precocity

All experiments were carried out at the Experimental Station “L. Toniolo” of the University of Padova (45°21’ N; 11°58’ E). Experiment 1. This research was undertaken to study the effect of increasing duration of cold periods (0-5-10-15- 20 and 30 days) on three classes of “Rosso di Chioggia” with different precocity: “Perseo” (Precocious), “Leo” (Medium) and “Virgo” (Late). Seeds were sown on different dates (V30-V20-V15-V10-V5 and V0, i.e. May 10th- 20th-25th and 30th, June 5th and 10th 2004 respectively) and placed in pre-formed polystyrene multiple trays. Treatments with low temperatures (5 °C) started on the 1st June for V30 and for the others (V5-V10-V15 and V20) 25-20-15 and 10 days later in controlled growth chambers, while plants that did not require vernalization stayed in the greenhouse. After vernalization and its stabilisation for 15 days, plants were transplanted in open field (July 24th). Moreover, on the 30th of August the number of leaves in rosette and elongated stem on five flowered plants for each group was determined, to verify the possible existing relation between flowering and the number of leaves on plant. Experiment 2. This experiment was undertaken to compare the effect of vernalization on flowering of 8 cultivars of radicchio to assess their membership of annual or biennial species. The 8 cultivars were Rosso di Treviso tardivo “Sile tardivo”, Rosso di Treviso precoce “Mesola precoce”, Rosso di Chioggia “Perseo” (P), “Leo” (M) and “Virgo” (L), Rosso di Verona “Cologna medio”, Variegato di Lusia “Adige tardivo” e Variegato di Castelfranco “Castellano medio”. All types were vernalized for 0-5 and 15 days (V0-V5 and V15). Seeds were placed (January 15th-25th and 30th 2005 for V15, V5 and V0 respectively) in pre-formed polystyrene multiple trays. Vernalization (5 °C) started on February 14th in controlled growth chambers and, at the end, was stabilized for 15 days. After vernalization and its stabilisation, plants were transplanted in open field (May 26th). In both experiments, after the transplant, plants were controlled everyday to determine the exact day in which the stem elongation started (stage 51 BBCH). Results showed that: (1) there is no relation between the number of leaves on plant and flowering; (2) vernalization exerts different effect on promoting flowering among types; (3) on average the effect of cold period is quantitatively related to its duration; (4) low temperature increased flowering precocity anticipating the stage of phase transition; (5) the behaviour of different types of radicchio shows that Rosso di Treviso tardivo is probably a biennial plant, while the others act as annual species.

Effects of humic substances derived from organic waste enhancement on the growth and mineral nutrition of maize

A physico-chemical process has been developed to transform and enhance lignocellulosic waste in liquid humic extracts: humic-like substances (HLS). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of HLS on plant physiology in order to consider their agricultural use as organic fertilizers. The effects of HLS were evaluated on maize seed germination, and their impact on growth, development and mineral nutrition was studied on maize plants cultivated under hydroponic conditions. The experimental results showed that HLS do not increase the percentage and rate of germination but enhance the root elongation of seeds thus treated. Positive effects were also observed on the whole plant growth as well as on root, shoot and leaf biomass. These effects can be related to the high water and mineral consumption of plants undergoing this treatment. The high water efficiency indicated that such plants produce more biomass than non-treated plants for the same consumption of the nutrient solution. Furthermore, the use of HLS induced a flowering precocity and modified root development suggesting a possible interaction of HLS with developmental processes. Considering the beneficial effect of HLS on different stages of plant growth, their use may present various scientific and economic advantages. The physico-chemical transformation of sawdust is an interesting way of enhancing organic waste materials.

Morphological and physiological characteristics of rapeseed plants regenerated in vitro from thin cell layers in the presence of zinc

Phytoremediation offers owners and managers of metal-contaminated sites an innovative and cost-effective option to address recalcitrant environmental contamination. The use of plants to restore or stabilize contaminated sites, known as phytoremediation, takes advantage of the natural abilities of plants to take up, accumulate or store metals. This includes the use of plants that tolerate and accumulate metals at high levels for phytoextraction and the use of plants growing under conditions that are toxic to other plants, for preventing, for example, soil erosion (phytostabilisation). Rapeseed ( Brassica napus L.) was shown to be able to accumulate substantial amounts of metals combined with high biomass. Brassica napus was therefore selected for heavy metal (HM) tolerance and accumulation through in vitro selection. A selective pressure applied during the neoformation process from transversal thin cell layers (tTCLs) allowed us to select tolerant cells and tissues. Toxic metals (such as Zn) were added to the culture media in order to select zinc-tolerant plants. Exerting a selective pressure during tTCLs regeneration aimed at selecting plants with exceptional zinc tolerance and/or accumulating capacity. The morphological and physicochemical characteristics of regenerated plants cultivated in greenhouse appeared to depend very significantly on the concentration of ZnSO 4 applied during the neoformation process. Plants regenerated in the presence of ZnSO 4 at 100 μM exhibited a greater size and a higher biomass together with flowering precocity. The contents of zinc, chlorophyll, and proline were modified in the regenerated plants. Pre-treatment with an excess of ZnSO 4 (>500 μM) was responsible for a percentage of tTCLs intolerance above 96%. With lower Zn concentrations (100–250 μM), the survival rates (33–15%) were higher. To cite this article: A. Ben Ghnaya et al., C. R. Biologies 330 (2007).

Promotion of flowering inEucalyptus nitensby paclobutrazol was enhanced by nitrogen fertilizer

We examined the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer and paclobutrazol on flowering precocity and abundance in Eucalyptus nitens Deane & Maid. Trials to test these effects consisted of a factorial nitrogen by phosphorus experiment replicated on two sites and factorial nitrogen by paclobutrazol experiments conducted separately on reproductively immature and reproductively mature trees. The increase in tree size due to nitrogen fertilization increased the occurrence and abundance of precocious flower buds. However, the increase in tree size alone could not account for the nitrogen effect on flowering, indicating a secondary mechanism of flower induction by nitrogen. The application of both nitrogen fertilizer and paclobutrazol substantially increased the occurrence of precociously flowering trees over that of either treatment applied alone. The efficacy of both paclobutrazol and nitrogen in stimulating the flowering of the reproductively mature trees was affected by soil type, but this effect was overcome through the combination of nitrogen and paclobutrazol. The combination of nitrogen and paclobutrazol also restricted tree growth and combined applications on nitrogen deficient sites will be beneficial in commercial systems for producing eucalypt seed.

COMPORTAMENTO DA CULTIVAR DE MACIEIRA FUJI (Malus domestica, Borkh.) SOBRE TRÊS DIFERENTES PORTA-ENXERTOS

Verifica-se, a nível mundial, uma forte tendência para o plantio da macieira em alta densidade de cultivo. Neste sistema de plantio, são utilizados porta-enxertos de pequeno porte, conhecidos como anões. O mais utilizado é o M-9, em virtude do forte controle sobre o porte da copa, da precocidade de produção, da alta produtividade e da boa qualidade dos frutos que induz à copa. No Sul do Brasil, por questões de tradição internacional, facilidade de obtenção e do menor custo de investimento no plantio, até recentemente, têm sido plantados porta-enxertos de vigor médio, como o MM-106, o M-7 e o MM-111, para plantios de média densidade. O primeiro é atualmente pouco usado devido à alta suscetibilidade à podridão-do-colo (Phytophthora cactorum). O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o desempenho do anão M-9, do semi-anão M-7 e do semivigoroso MM-111 no controle do vigor da copa, na precocidade de produção, na produtividade e no tamanho dos frutos da cv. de macieira Fuji. O experimento foi conduzido em blocos ao acaso, com 4 repetições de 3 plantas por parcela. Como copa, foi utilizada a cv. Fuji, polinizada pela cv. Gala. O experimento foi implantado em 1996, em Fraiburgo-SC, principal pólo produtor de maçãs do País. O espaçamento de cultivo foi de 2,0 m por 5,0 m. O experimento foi conduzido por 4 anos, avaliando-se a precocidade (n0 de gemas de flor/cm² de área transversal do caule), produção (kg/planta), produtividade (t/ha), peso médio dos frutos (g) e distribuição dos frutos por categoria de tamanho (%). Os resultados obtidos indicaram que o M-9 foi o mais precoce, produzindo, no terceiro ano, 1,94 vez mais gemas de flor que o M-7 e 2,70 vezes mais que o MM-111. Em termos de produção, no terceiro ano, o M-9 produziu 2,53 vezes mais que o M-7 e 2,70 vezes mais que o MM-111. No quarto ano, o M-9 produziu 1,28 vez mais que o M-7 e 1,26 vez mais que o MM-111. O peso médio dos frutos foi de 159,2 g, 135,5 g e 131,2 g, para o M-9, o M-7 e o MM-111, respectivamente. Em termos de distribuição por categoria de tamanho, o M-9 produziu 90,8% de frutos maiores que 62 mm, o M-7 produziu 79,5% e o MM-111, 70,9%, indicando que o M-9, além de mais precoce e mais produtivo, também produz frutos de maior calibre.

Orchard comparisons of `Cox's Orange Pippin' grown on selections of the apple rootstock M.9

SummaryTwenty four selections (clones) of M.9 were compared as rootstocks for the apple cv. Cox's Orange Pippin in three orchard trials planted on similar sites at Horticulture Research International (HRI)-East Malling between 1980 and 1987. Rootstock clone effects on maiden tree quality were inconsistent in two of the trials, and appeared to be associated more with nursery conditions at the time of raising the trees than with the clone of rootstock used. Shoot growth following planting in the orchard was related positively to tree size (maiden tree height and feathering) at the time of planting and no differences in initial tree vigour were attributable to rootstock clone. Tree size differences at maturity were variable between trials, were small (10% to 30%), and in most instances not statistically significant. Nevertheless, the scion weights of trees on the Dutch T.337, the French INRA 71/0 and Lancep (Pajam 1) rootstock clones were 10% to 30% smaller than trees on the EMLA clone when the trials were terminated. None of the clones had any consistent effect on the precocity of flowering, the numbers of floral buds produced by the trees, or the efficiency of fruit set. In two of the three trials, annual yields and cumulative yields per tree were very similar for trees on all the M.9 clones, even when adjusted for differences in tree size at planting. Estimates of yield efficiency in each year (yield in kg cm22 trunk cross sectional area) also showed no statistically significant differences between any of the M.9 clones in these two trials. In a third trial, yield precocity in the first three cropping years was much lower than average for trees on the Belgian clone Nic.29, the French clone INRA 71/0 and the German clone SP.1 (719), even after adjustments to take account of differences in tree size at planting. Trees on the Dutch selection T.340, the Belgian selections Nic.16 and Nic.19 the German selection SP.18 (751) and M.9A also showed reduced yield efficiency compared with trees on the EMLA clone in two of these three years. No differences were recorded in the mean fruit size at harvest or the yield of fruits in the highest quality grades in this third trial.

TherolD gene fromAgrobacterium rhizogenes is developmentally regulated in transgenic tobacco

TherolD gene fromAgrobacterium rhizogenes has recently been shown to induce striking precocity of flowering in transgenic tobacco. A transcriptional fusion between 578 bp of therolD upstream regulating sequence and the GUS reporter gene has been transferred to tobacco plants and its expression analysed throughout the whole life cycle of the plant. A detailed histological analysis revealed thatrolD is strongly expressed in elongating and differentiating tissues of each organ, from the mature embryo to the adult plant. In organs with determinate growth, such as cotyledons, leaves and floral parts,rolD expression follows the age gradient of the tissues. In mature tissues,rolD expression is high, begins to decrease with ageing and is switched off when senescence occurs.RolD is also active in the vascular system, in the procambium, pith- and receptacular-meristems. Our data show that expression ofrolD is under developmental control as it correlates with, and may represent a molecular marker for, the elongation/expansion and maturation phases of the plant tissues.

Synchronization of flowering in maize (Zea mays L.) by the genetic system pg11 pg12

The mutant genotype pg11pg11 pg12pg12-epistasis of double recessive factors-determines greater precocity of flowering. The possibility of using this mutant in the production of hybrid seed as a mean of synchronizing flowering in parent strains of different earliness is studied. The differences between mutant and green control genotypes in the characters of days to pollen shedding, pollen production, and height of plants are evaluated. Four mutant lines are considered together with their respective green near-isolines in two distinct localities and across four successive plantings. The mutant near-isolines presented lower values than those of the green near-isolines for all the characters. The maximum reductions in days to flowring were obtained in early plantings and late maturity strains. The reduction in pollen production was about 50%. The reduced height of the mutants is explained, at least in part, by the correlation of this factor with days to flowering. The mutants did not prove to be more sensitive to the environment than their green near-isolines. Seed production was not studied since the mutant is very deficient for this character and it could therefore only be utilized as the male parent. We concluded that the mutant, could be used to synchronize flowering in the industrial production of hybrid seed.

Étude du développement hétéroblastique chez quelques espèces du genre Medicago

Seven foliar types were defined for the first leaf in the heteroblastic development of seven annual species of Medicago L. Among the species, M. aculeata and M. murex have a typical foliar form. There is no relation between the first leaf and the succeeding trifoliolate one. The shape changes of the middle foliole of the trifoliolate leaves during the development allowed to establish a foliar sequence whose mean length was used to suggest an evolutive hierarchy among the taxa. Five quantitative variables were analysed on the first and on the sixth leaf for stability according to environmental conditions; the two stable variables (L/l and L/Pl) have a best discriminant value for the first leaf than for the sixth one. However, intraspecific heterogeneity is high in both cases. A relation between the flowering precocity and the mean value of one of the sixth leaf's variables (that is, the ratio of the length to the width of the foliole limb) was demonstrated in four species only. The heteroblastic development not only allows to establish a relation between foliar stage and physiologic age, but it itself constitutes a very good taxonomic and systematic criterium; it allowed to identify the seven species studied.

Rootstock/scion relations in horticultural crop physiology

A preliminary report is made of the results of growth studies on compound trees formed of all combinations, as scion and as rootstock, of three clones, chosen to cover a wide range of vigour, of apple, quince, and cherry. Under the conditions of the orchard experiment and with the clones used, no distinction was found between influence on tree size of any apple clone when present as the scion or when present as the rootstock. Major distinctions in influence as scion or as rootstock were, however, found in the case of certain quince and cherry clones. Evidence as to the precocity of flowering of the scions of compound trees indicates that precocity may occur independently of a dwarfing influence.

Precocity of Spring Flowers

I HAD occasion to remark in a letter to NATURE (No. 1477, vol. lvii., February 17, 1898) on the unusually early flowering of many winter and spring flowers in the December of 1897 and the January of 1898; so many of these records have been surpassed already during the recent remarkably mild period that I am venturing to put a few of them before your readers. For the last twenty years I have kept a record of the first flowers of about eighty species of wild and garden spring flowers in this county, and the season named above is the only example which at all approaches the present one in the precocity of flowering.