5 fo 



MY GARDEN. 



flower, when the stamens and stigmas will be instantly observed to 

 be frozen and disorganized (fig. 1197). The regularity of the occur- 

 rence of these frosts is such as to lead to the conclusion that they 

 arise from some cause which we do not under- 

 stand. We may fairly anticipate their recurrence, 

 and gardeners should always watch for them, and 

 refrain from planting out delicate plants till they 

 have passed over. 



In June summer fairly commences, and from 

 this time tropical plants will live and thrive out of 

 doors till the equinoctial gales bring; our short 



Fro. 1197. Effect of Frost 



u n nfro h sS B! r FVo;ted; summer to its close. After these gales the weather 



stamens and stigmas de- . . 



is usually lovely in the first halt 01 October, when 



night frosts occur, killing our kidney-beans and indicating that winter is 

 at hand. After these frosts the weather again is mild till the middle of 

 November, when sharp frosts pretty constantly occur ; after which, in 

 most years, the weather is mild till Christmas. The year 1871, however, 

 was an exception, there being severe frosts in December. In November 

 and the first half of December, dripping fogs come on, which bathe 

 every blade of grass in moisture which never dries while they last. This 

 is hurtful to vegetation, and when associated with frost is more injurious 

 to plants than a drier and a colder atmosphere. Violet leaves, for ex- 

 ample, rot when exposed to this moisture, but when sheltered by an 

 evergreen tree retain their perfect foliage. 



When Christmas has passed, the days become brighter, the fogs 

 are dissipated, and the new year opens with the Christmas rose and 

 the naked flowered jasmine. Within a few days snowdrops spring 

 up, followed by the crocus, and by the middle of March the bulbous 

 plants afford a blaze of beauty. Fruit-trees then display their bloom ; 

 almonds, apricots, and plums precede cherries, pears, and apples ; whilst 

 mulberries, walnuts, and elderberries bring up the rear. 



Our fruit season commences in May with frame strawberries in 

 abundance, followed at the close of the month by forced apples and 

 pears as curiosities. Outdoor strawberries ripen in the beginning of 



