28 GENERAL REMARKS. 



frequently subjected early in the season. Some species of 

 plants that, in an advanced stage of growth, will stand a hard 

 winter, are often cut off by very slight frost while germinating, 

 especially if exposed to the heat of the sun after a frosty 

 night, or while in a frozen state. Cabbage, Carrot, Celery, 

 Turnip, and many other growing plants, which survive the 

 ordinary winters of England, are here classed as half-hardy, 

 for the reasons above stated. 



The third class, or most tender species, frequently perish 

 from excess of rain. Lima Beans, for instance, have often 

 to be replanted three or four times in the month of May, 

 before any will stand. Melons, Cucumbers, Egg-plants, 

 Tomato plants, &c., are also often cut off by variableness of 

 the weather ; indeed, it is unreasonable to expect natives of 

 tropical climates to thrive or even live in a climate adverse 

 to that in which nature first produced them, unless protected 

 or nursed in unpropitious seasons, as recommended under 

 the head forcing vegetables. Those who plant tender things 

 in open gardens early in the season, must reconcile them- 

 selves to loss in the event of unfavourable weather, instead 

 of throwing blame on the seedsman. 



The fourth class, embracing such species and varieties as, 

 from their nature, are apt to vegetate quickly, are very liable 

 to be devoured by insects before they make any show on the 

 surface. Turnip seed, for instance, will sprout within forty- 

 eight hours after being sown ; and under favourable circum- 

 stances, most of the species of this class will come up within 

 a week ; but if insects attack the seed beds iri dry weather, 

 a total loss of crops will be the consequence. Every expe- 

 rienced farmer is convinced of this fact, by having frequently 

 to sow his Turnip ground three or four times before he can 

 get any to stand. 



Sometimes a sudden shower of rain will cause plants to 

 grow out of the reach of insects, but every good gardenei 

 should have his remedies at hand to apply to seed beds in 



