A GARDENER'S REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR. 



DIE has brought us to the close of another 

 year, and in the midst of winter gloom 

 and darkness, we call to mind the glories 

 of the season that has passed. The oldest 

 amongst us might tax memory severely, in 

 order to recall a summer of more equal brightness, 

 or marked by more cheering results for horticulture 

 and the sister sciences of any within the experience of 

 the present generation. Providence has abundantly 

 blessed us in the fruitfulness of the earth, and the 

 splendour of the seasons, and, though the spring was 

 a little backward, a more magnificent summer and 

 autumn have not written their bright records in the 

 rural annals of modern times. It has come to its 

 appointed end — "all that's bright must fade," and remembrance of 

 pleasures realized now gives place to hopes for their renewal. If the old 

 year, just hurried into the " silent land," has carried many regrets with 

 it, its infant successor brings with New-year's morning many a joyous 

 anticipation to our hearts ; for — 



" As the snowdrop glimmers as winter goes, 

 As coming summer will blush with the rose, 

 As the earth once more from its frosty bond 

 Will be free and glad, and in songs respond," 



so we must keep pace with the revolutions of Time, and inscribe Progress 

 as a motto for our banner. 



If commercial disaster and wide-spread industrial distress have cast a 

 cloud over Christmas rejoicings, and chilled the warm heart-throbbings 

 with which most of us welcome a new year, it is at least something to 

 know that the visitation is not to be counted among the dispensations of 

 Providence, who hath given " the earth her increase " as of old, and shed 

 upon the changing seasons even more than their ordinary lustre. The 

 returns of most crops have been above the average, wheat especially ; the 

 estimates of the Mark Lane Express show that in 168 districts of England 

 and Wales the wheat crop is reckoned Over — an Average — and Below an 

 average in 111, ho, and 4 cases respectively; and though barley and 

 potatoes are both short as to produce per acre, the extent of the crop of 

 each has been much greater than usual. The hay season was one of the 

 most favourable we have had for many years, and a generally heavy crop 

 was everywhere well harvested. The meteorological records of the year 

 will present features of unusual interest to those who give their attention 

 to such matters, and I should hope there are few gardeners who do not. 

 Since the 20th of June, when the thermometer registered 80° in the sun, 

 with a S.E. wind, the temperature was above the average up to the 

 middle of December, with the exception of the first week in July, when 

 we had a few cold nights and cloudy days ; but on the 10th the real 



