204 THE FLORIST. 



seems to consist chiefly in the epidermis, which regulates the amount 

 of perspiration. It is, therefore, to be remarked that it is not the 

 greatest quantity of Hght which can be obtained that is most favour- 

 able to the healthiness of plants, but the greatest quantity they will 

 bear without injury." — (Theory of Horticulture, p. 79.) As examples 

 of plants commonly cultivated, I may notice that the Calceolaria, 

 Cineraria, and Pelargonium quickly draw and become yellow in the 

 leaf when not placed near the glass in houses, while the Camellia and 

 many other plants do not suffer in the same degree, and in fact grow 

 best in a partial shade. 



But the effect light exercises on the functional power of plants is 

 most strikingly shown when the period for blooming arrives. For as 

 the great object of the plant's economy is the reproduction of itself by 

 seed, preceded by the opening of the petals or flowers, which it is the 

 cultivator's object to produce in the greatest quantity, it follows that in 

 proportion to the activity of the secretory organs stimulated under free 

 exposure to light, so will be the number and brilliancy, or pureness of 

 colouring of the flowers, as the case may be. I frequently observe 

 what a difference exists in the size and colour of the flowers of plants 

 of the same kind ; one shall have its colours, whatever they may be, 

 clear, distinct, and brilliant as compared with the dull muddy colour of 

 the other. This marked difference is to be accounted for by the 

 explanation given above, and forms a point of great importance in plant 

 cultivation. 



{To he continued) 



PROTECTION OP FRUIT TREES. 

 In the last number of the Florist, your correspondent, Mr. G. Fry, 

 alluding to a statement of mine at page 106, where I said I hoped 

 to have the pleasure in a few weeks of thinning many quarts of 

 young fruit, asks, " Has this been verified ? " I reply, yes, it has ; 

 even better than I anticipated. Never have I seen so many Apricots 

 set before. The Apricot crop is, as far as I can learn, an average one 

 this season in Yorkshire. Peaches and Nectarines are also a very good 

 crop with me. Pears on the wall trees, a fair crop ; on standards, thin, 

 owing more to the wet than the frost. Plums, thin, also owing to 

 heavy showers ; Apples, a fair crop ; Cherries, above an average ; 

 Gooseberries, Currants, Raspberries, and Strawberries, most abundant 

 crops. 



In the Gardeners' Chronicle of June 7th Mr. Fry will see a 

 communication from a person who signs himself " G. A., Leytonstone, 

 Essex." This person (" G. A.") says that he always used coverings 

 for his Apricot trees, but that six years out of seven he failed to obtain 

 crops, so this year he determined to do without covering, and the result 

 is he has a most abundant crop of fruit. I merely quote this 

 correspondent's communication to show Mr. Fry that though he may 

 have failed to get a crop of Apricots, there are persons nearer to him 

 than I am who do, and that without protection. 



