FROSTS. 5 



is productive of more disastrous results, and to a 

 greater extent than such as we have been describing. 

 There are numerous species of Abies, the Himalayan 

 kinds especially, which in many places lose year after 

 year their early growths, preventing their progress and 

 destroying their beauty. These effects too, we believe, 

 may be obviated in a great degree, if not wholly, and 

 the readiest means of attempting it will be first to 

 learn the nature of the causes inducing tlfern. 



Most of the species which suffer from spring frosts, 

 though perfectly hardy in other respects, are popularly 

 known as tender. This impression is circulated with 

 them, and cultivators, acting upon an erroneous 

 principle, almost invariably assign to them the warmest 

 and most sheltered places in their grounds a practice 

 that must always defeat the intention. The real 

 cause of their suffering from spring frosts arises from 

 their great excitability, inducing them to commence 

 growth at so early a period of the year. And the 

 warmer and more sheltered the position they occupy, 

 the more are they likely to suffer. All the species 

 which are easily excited into growth should, if possible, 

 be placed upon elevated situations. The temperature 

 there is never so fluctuating as in the valleys. The 

 diurnal as well as seasonal changes are more gradual, 

 and though the average yearly temperature is less 

 than in the sheltered low lands a point of great 

 moment with the agriculturist, as well as every 

 one engaged in the cultivation of annual plants 

 requiring a high summer temperature for their full 

 development, as most of the Cereals it by no means 



