Page:Younghusband - Kashmir.pdf/108

 14 THE RESIDENCY GARDEN

hanging from the poplars. Rose leaves were fully out. The grass had nearly turned from brown to green. Iris buds were showing a tinge of purple. Hyacinths were well out, and Crown Imperials and daffodils in full bloom.

On April 8rd the first of the pretty little wild tulips, striped white and pink, appeared, and on the following day the first of the large dark purple irises and two or three large white irises came into bloom. Heavy rain fell, and on the 5th the grass was entirely green. On that day the pears were in full blossom. Two of the magnificent scarlet Kashmir tulips, which are a joy to any garden, came into blossom, and two English tulips also came out. Rose-buds Were beginning to form. The maximum temperature was 59° and the minimum 42°, On April 7th the first columbine came into bloom, and on the 9th the first shrike appeared. °

Now followed a deluge of rain. On the 12th 24 inches fell. By the morning of the 13th 14°65 inches had fallen since January Ist, in comparison with a normal fall of 10°6 inches. And, most un- expected of all, on the night of 12th-18th snow fell! The maximum temperature was only 50° and the minimum 83°, In a single night all the lovely