558 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



ON THE MEANS OF SECURING THE ADVANTAGES OF 

 CLIMATE. 



BY WILSON FLAQO. 



The selection of a site for one's dwelling-house, whether 

 it be designed only for a summer residence, or for a perma- 

 nent abode, is a subject of greater difficulty than is generally 

 supposed. In treating of this matter, we should consider 

 those circumstances which are most favorable for shelter in 

 winter, for shade in summer, for recreation, and for prospect. 

 In this essay, I shall treat less of the comparative advantages 

 of living north or south of a certain latitude, on the coast or 

 in the interior, than of the importance of certain circum- 

 stances attached to particular locatio^is, that may be found in 

 all places. The sea-coast must always furnish advantages, 

 which one cannot find elsewhere. To the lover of nature, 

 the coast scenery and the views of the ocean are some of the 

 principal attractions. Next to these are facilities for boat ex- " 

 cursions in the harbor and among the islands, and for angling 

 from the cliffs and promontories by the sea-side. In the ex- 

 tremes both of hot and cold weather, the temperature of the 

 atmosphere is moderated by the sea-breezes, lessening the 

 amount of snow in the winter, and retarding vegetation in 

 the spring. 



From about the first of July to the last of February, the 

 climate of the coast is more equable and moderate than that 

 of the interior ; but during the remainder of the year, the 

 sea-breeze to invalids is almost intolerable. Nothing can ex- 

 ceed the harshness of the east winds near the coast, during 

 all the spring months, and the month of June. Not before 

 July does the great body of the ocean become sufficiently 

 warmed to temper the severity of the winds that blow from 

 it, insomuch that the northeast wind is colder in May than 

 in November. All the winter is required to cool down the 

 great mass of waters which communicate their temperature 

 to these winds, and after this, all the summer is required to 

 warm them. Hence, the east winds do not acquire their 



