THE 



GARDENER'S MAGAZINE, 



DECEMBER, 1841. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. A Summary Vietv of the Progress of Gardening, and of 

 Rural Improvement generally, in Britain, during the Year 1841 ; 

 xvith some Notices relative to the State of both in Foreign Countries. 

 By the Conductor. 



The weather of 1840-41 has been favourable for growth 

 from its humidity, but very unfavourable for maturation from 

 the want of sun. Fruits in general, and even culinary vegetables, 

 have been deficient in flavour, and flowers in brilliancy of colour. 

 The shoots of most kinds of trees have been imperfectly ripened ; 

 and, in short, the only circumstance in the season favourable to 

 horticulture is the comparative absence of insects, to which the 

 continued cold and moisture of the atmosphere have been in- 

 jurious. 



" The month of November, 1840, maintained nearly an 

 average temperature, but was unusually damp, more than 

 3^ in. of rain having fallen during the first three weeks; and, 

 although there was none in the last week, yet dense fogs pre- 

 vailed, to the almost total exclusion of the sun's rays. Decem- 

 ber, on the contrary, was a dry but very cold month ; in fact, 

 the coldest December experienced in at least the present cen- 

 tury. The mean temperature, instead of about 40°, its usual 

 average, was only 32°. January, 1841, was also colder than the 

 average ; and on the 7th and 8th the thermometer was 26° 

 below freezing, or within 6° of zero. February was also cold 

 throughout; but, with the exception of that on the 3d, there 

 were no frosts of intense severity. March was exceedingly 

 fine; and vegetation, almost dormant at the commencement, 

 made a considerable advance by the end of the month; so much 

 so, that the horsechestnut was in leaf the first week in April, 

 and the common hawthorn in the second, indicating an earlier 

 vegetation than has taken place since 1834: and this is attri- 

 butable to the. warm sunny weather in March; for April was 

 by no means favourable, sharp frosts being of frequent oc- 

 currence during the first three weeks. These considerably 

 1841.— XII. 3d Ser. p p 



