CHAP. I. CLIMATE. 



CHAPTEK I. 



CLIMATE SOILS MANURES. 



CLIMATE. 



IN Bengal, what is called the "Cold season" lasts, at the 

 longest, not more than three months, commencing in November 

 and ending by February. The temperature at night, during 

 that period, at times, will fall as low as the freezing-point; 

 but this is of rare occurrence. Towards the close of February 

 commences the Hot season, which lasts till about the middle 

 of June, when the periodical rains usually set in. From 

 March to May is the hottest period of the whole year. March 

 and April are the driest months. Some time in June the Kain 

 season begins, and lasts usually till about the 20th of October. 

 The greatest humidity prevails in August and September. 

 During these months, towards the evening, the atmosphere is 

 filled with vapour almost to saturation. 



The judicious gardener will, of course, conduct his operations 

 in strictest reference to all these conditions of the climate. 



During the cold months he will shelter his more delicate 

 plants, those especially natives of a lower latitude, from the 

 rapid transitions from heat to cold, and from cold to heat, which 

 take place at that period of the year, hurtful alike to plant and 

 man. To plants, likewise, that he sees have ceased from 

 growth, and have entered into a state of temporary rest during 

 these months, he will be most sparing in the application of 

 water, which, in that condition, they cannot absorb and 

 assimilate. 



During the arid months that follow, when the soil becomes 

 daily drier and harder, he will be liberal in his supply of water 

 and surface-dressing to plants that, at that period, are in the 

 full vigour of their growth, and especially to fruit-trees upon 

 which the fruit is swelling. 



When the rains are thoroughly set in and the air all but 

 saturated with moisture, he will know that the season has come 



