324 THE FLORIST. 



atmosphere is always lowest and the frosts most keen about the period 

 of sunrise, these tests will therefore prove that the accumulated heat is 

 exhausted by this period, and the clearer the atmosphere the more 

 rapid the radiation ; hence, one great point in defendant's utility in 

 preventing the exhaustion of this radiation. Again, as to the staten^ent 

 of those witnesses of prosecutor's, who deposed to having had equally 

 good crops upon unprotected as upon protected trees, it was hoped to 

 show the fallacy of ihis ; for it was very much doubted that if two trees 

 in equal health and vigour, and similarly situated and treated through 

 summer, the one efficiently protected and the other fully exposed, 

 whether the exposed one on an average of seasons does equally well as 

 the protected one. Prosecutor had also laid very great stress upon 

 thinning his trees and draining his borders, — operations which were 

 certainly very desirable to the well-being of the tree ; but what had that 

 to do with protecting the blossoms through those inclement nights our 

 springs are subject to ? We all know that where moisture is, frosts will 

 sooner destroy ; therefore, as the pistil of every flower contains a 

 certain degree of moisture, a covering of some kind is indispensable to 

 protect that flower. And as to the charge of being an unnecessary addition 

 to garden expenditure, it was not to be denied but that he caused a small 

 additional outlay as regards both material and labour ; but, as a recom- 

 pense, he invariably ensured the luxury of a crop, and no gentleman 

 who wished to enjoy his luxuries would object paying for them. It was 

 here stated that those witnesses for the prosecution who had stated that 

 they had equally good crops upon the unprotected as upon the protected 

 portion of the trees would be recalled and re-examined touching those 

 points. 



Those witnesses upon being recalled and being subjected to a sharp 

 cross-examination, testified that the trees they had mentioned were 

 in many cases side by side ; and to make assurance doubly sure they 

 had in most instances protected their best trees. 



The following witnesses were called upon to support the defence : — 

 First, Mr. H. Constantine, Hillingdon Court, Uxbridge, who deposed 

 to having abundance of fruit on south and west aspects, but on east 

 aspects he had scarcely any ; that he protects with Hall's garden netting ; 

 that he thoroughly drains his borders ; in several places in his neighbour- 

 hood this point is neglected, but their crops are very inferior ; he had 

 frequently seen crops cut off when not protected, although he must 

 say that he did not agree with heavy protection excepting it is well 

 attended to. 



Mr. Jno. Powell, Royal Gardens, Frogmore, next deposed to the crops 

 in general being below the average in his locaUty, and that Pears, Plums, 

 and Cherries were very scarce ; that there was no standard fruit to speak 

 of ; that protection was used in those gardens, and also in the gardens 

 around him ; the covering tliey use in his locality is what they call 

 Dorsetshire cheese cloth, on rollers, that can be drawn up and down at 

 pleasure. Netting is also used for south-west aspects, which this 

 witness considers do not require so much protection, on account of the 

 sun not striking upon the trees so soon in the morning. Artificial 

 drainage is not necessary, they being upon a bed of loose gravel, the 



