1826.] Mr. Darnell on Climate. Il5 



scarcely have thought them novel or important enough for such 

 a destination, but he defers to his judgment, and shall at all 

 events have had the pleasure of complying with his wishes. 



Horticulture differs from agriculture in one very material 

 l-espect. The latter has for its object the fertihzation of the soil 

 by manures, and the different processes of cultivation, in the 

 manner best adapted to the peculiarities of any given climate : 

 it concerns itself only with the growth and nourishment of such 

 plants as are indigenous, or, by along course of treatment, have 

 become inured to the vicissitudes of weather incidental to a par- 

 ticular latitude. The former occupies a much wider field of 

 research ; it not only seeks to be conversant with the constitu- 

 tion of soils, but as it aspires to the preservation and propagation 

 of exotic vegetation, it necessarily embraces the consideration 

 of varieties of climate : and it labours, by art, to assimilate the 

 confined space of its operations to that constitution of atmosphere 

 which is most congenial to its charge, or to protect them at 

 different periods of their growth from sudden changes of weather 

 which would be detrimental to their health. Experience has 

 anticipated theoretical knowledge in suggesting various arti- 

 fices, by which these ends may be effected ; a connected view 

 of which has never, I believe, been attempted ; but may prove 

 to be not without interest and utility. The suggestions of expe- 

 rience may probably enlarge the conclusions of theory, while it 

 is not impossible that the improved state of the latter may be 

 found to furnish some assistance to the former. 



The science of Horticulture, with regard to climate, will be 

 best considered in two divisions : the first comprises the 

 methods of mitigating the extremes, or exalting the energies, of 

 the natural chmate in the open air ; the second embraces the 

 more difficult means of composing and maintaining a confined 

 atmosphere, whose properties may assimilate with those of the 

 natural atmosphere in intertropical latitudes. I shall commence 

 my observations with the former. 



The basis of the atmosphere has been proved to be of the 

 same chemical composition in all the regions of the globe. All 

 the varieties of climate will therefore be found to depend upon 

 the modifications impressed upon it by light, heat, and moisture, 

 and over these, art has obtained, even in the open air, a greater 

 influence than at first sight would appear to be possible. By 

 judicious management, the climate of our gardens is rendered 

 congenial to the luxurious productions of more favoured regions, 

 and flowers and fruits from the confines of the tropics, flourish- 

 ing in the open air, daily prove the triumphs of knowledge and 

 industry. 



For the complete understanding of the subject in all its bear- 

 ings, and to enable us to derive all the practical advantages 

 which such an understanding would certamly afford, it would 



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