54-8 Report on the hardy Fruits for 1837, 



imitation, and proportionally our success. Now, we know that 

 plants naturally experience a range of temperature : but this, in 

 regard to them, we cannot perfectly imitate ; because it is only 

 imperfectly known. That we hence labour under a disadvantage, 

 follows as a truism ; but, whether the above suggestions are 

 calculated to obviate such, or to lead to others of higher merit, 

 I submit to better judges of the subject. 



With regard to the effect of the coldness of last spring in re- 

 tarding the expansion of buds into leaves and blossoms, it may be 

 stated to have occasioned a difference of three or four weeks 

 beyond the usual period in the generality of deciduous species. 

 For example, — 



1834.. J835, 1836. 1837. 



The common hawthorn was 



in leaf 

 The horsechestnut *, ditto - 



March 28. 

 April 8. 



April 1. 

 April 12. 



March 30. 

 April 24. 



April 28. 

 May 3. 



The green gage plum was in 

 blossom - _ - 

 The May duke cJlierry, ditto 

 The common beech, in leaf - 



March 28. 

 April 18. 

 May 4. 



April 8. 

 April 17. 

 May 10. 



April 18, 

 May 1. 

 May 10. 



May 3. 

 May 16. 

 May 13. 



It appears, from t;he above periodic differences, that, although 

 vegetation may exhibit, in some measure, by its earlier or later 

 developement, the general state of the temperature, yet it will 

 not do so in a just ratio for any particular month. Some species 

 will burst forth into leaf or flower in consequence of a few days of 

 powerful sun heat ; whilst others, such as the beech, are not pos- 

 sessed of such susceptibility ; a property which, as regards many 

 varieties of fruits, is in this climate, with regret, too well known. 

 Mc\ny other causes tend to interfere with the influence of atmo- 

 spheric heat in the developement of vegetation, although it 

 must be allowed to be the principal agent. Among others, the 

 greater or less prevalence of rain, in a warm or cold state, and, 

 accordingly, more or less congenial to the action of vegetation, 

 may be mentioned. 



It is now time to leave the month of April, and this with one 

 remark, that it was the coldest of any corresponding month for 

 at least the last 40 years, according to the registers published in 

 the Transactions of the Horticultural Society, and in Howard's 

 Climate of London. The process from which it derived its name 

 {aperio, to open) was chiefly transferred to May; and even then 

 sharp frosts injured many of the blossoms. Apricots, peaches, 

 and even pears on walls, suffered considerably, as did also those 

 of the latter on standards. Cherries were an abundant crop, as 

 were likewise plums and apples. The summer weather was, of 

 course, rendered short by the prolongation of the cold in the 



* The buds of this tree burst forth so rapidly and simultaneously, that it is, 

 in consequence, particularly eligible for the purpose of being quoted, in regard 

 to the period of foliation. 



