THE 



October, 1865. 



POSSIBILITIES OP OUR CLIMATE. 



^j'y\ E were about to make some remarks based on 

 observations made in various districts during the 

 present season, and head them with the title, " The 

 Capabilities of the English Climate." But the 

 thought occurred that the word "capability " conveys 

 the idea of a permanent fitness for something, and 

 the matters to be mentioned do not so much illustrate 

 or exemplify the capabilities as the possibilities of our 

 climate. A thing may be possible on rare occasions, 

 and under peculiar circumstances ; and it may happen 

 that some of the possibilities which are now to be the 

 subject of remark are of such an exceptional kind as 

 to afford no warrant for the ordinary and legitimate 

 use of the word "capability." 



Pirst, then, of growing Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots as orchard 

 trees in England. The possibility of doing this has often been referred 

 to, but the writer of this has tasted fruit so grown in the years 1863, 

 1864, and 1S65. In the " Garden Oracle " for 1864 public attention 

 was called to the successful cultivation of these fruits in open quarters 

 by Mr. Josiah Illman, nurseryman, of Strood in Kent. A short time 

 since (Aug. 26), the writer of this went down to Strood to investigate 

 the case, and he found on a green hillside, on a good loamy soil of no 

 great depth, resting on chalk, a very pretty orchard, including all the 

 hardy fruits usually grown in this county, and, besides, a considerable 

 number of peach, nectarine, and apricot trees. On the 26th of August 

 last, the condition of these trees was such as might reasonably excite 



VOL. VIII. — NO. X. L 



