SCOTTISH GARDENS 



local conditions, such as exposure to cold eastern 

 currents. But the diminution of air-borne vapour 

 promotes radiation, causing the earth to part more 

 quickly with its heat, and reducing the mean winter 

 temperature of midland and eastern districts below 

 that of western. 



Such is, very broadly and briefly, the outline 

 of the normal course of British meteorology, as 

 explained by Haughton, Croll, Strachey, Scott and 

 other observers. To the horticulturist it resolves 

 itself into this, that the climate in the west is 

 cooler in summer and warmer in winter than that 

 of inland and eastern districts, and he must conform 

 to these conditions in his choice of decorative 

 material. 



It is impossible to guess how much money and 

 labour is wasted each year in attempting to grow 

 in a humid climate and on a cool soil plants which 

 delight in a roasting sun on a dry formation. On 

 the other hand, what opportunities do we not see 

 thrown away by neglecting the capabilities of soil 

 and climate, thereby reducing gardens and pleasure 

 grounds to a monotonous uniformity of furniture. 



Take as an example, the Rhododendron family. 

 The common R. ponticum grows anywhere except on 

 chalk or limestone; consequently it is grown every- 

 where, choking our woodlands and smothering the 

 beautiful native undergrowth, until the eye wearies of 

 what is in truth a very handsome shrub. Even people 

 who live on chalk and limestone, instead of taking 



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