59 



The application of this fact, to artificial practice, is 

 plain ; a less amount of moisture artificially applied, in 

 comparison with the temperature, must be permitted, 

 than when the cultivation of those plants is attempted 

 whose natural habitats are less strongly featured in 

 this respect. 



Such considerations as these naturally force on us 

 the conclusion, that it is vain to attempt the cultiva- 

 tion of this noble fruit, except during that portion of 

 the year when the sun exerts his greatest power in 

 our latitude. It is not because they cannot be induced 

 to grow at any other period of the year, for the mere 

 extension of vegetable tissue will go on, though the 

 influence of the natural agents is but limited and 

 feeble ; but it is because maturity, perfect develop- 

 ment, and, above all, the full assimilation of the sap, 

 cannot take place sufficiently to ensure a good flavour 

 in the fruit, except light and heat are not only unim- 

 peded and constant, but powerful and united in their 

 action. 



CHAP. X. 

 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 



I will here briefly recall attention to a most import- 

 ant point which the cultivator should continually keep 

 in view: it is most important that he should study Na- 

 ture ; for if we may believe our senses, or place any 

 confidence in overwhelming evidence, we may be cer- 

 tain that all the conditions we observe in a natural s'.ate 

 of things, have been planned by an All-wise hand ; and 

 further, that a finite mind can never attempt with suc- 



F 2 



