nsoith preliminary Obsei'^tioiis on Climate. 549 



early part; and, though tolerably fine, yet there was a great 

 deficiency of sun heat in July ; consequent!}', many kinds of 

 fruits did not acquire their perfect flavour. This appears to 

 have been more especially the case with all the summer and 

 autumn apples. The long-keeping sorts may, perhaps, be found 

 to have benefited, by their hanging longer in the enjoyment of 

 the subsequent brighter weather in October. 



Among the productions of last season that have come under 

 my observation, one of the most deserving is a grape, received 

 into the collection of the Horticultural Society, under the desig- 

 nation of " seedHng from bloom raisin : " it was grafted, if 

 not exactly after the mode, yet according to the principle, recom- 

 mended by Mr. Gowans (see p. IIT-X alongside of a black Ham- 

 burg; and it ripened nearly a month earlier than the latter 

 sort. The bunch is as large, but more loose, and the berries 

 acquire a blacker colour, and higher flavour. Its value as an 

 early forcing grape will hence be readily appreciated. 



Several of the pears lately raised by Thomas Andrew Knight, 

 Esq., have fruited in the garden of the Horticultural Society in 

 the present season, and have proved excellent. As they are 

 hardy, they cannot be too highly recommended for trial in the 

 northern counties, where even the Belgic varieties fail. The 

 Althorp crassane was exceedingly buttery, melting, and highly 

 flavoured. The Brougham pear is a great bearer, and very 

 good. The Belmont and Eyewood, excellent. The winter 

 crassane has also produced abundantly, and will, doubtless, 

 prove deserving of the high opinion formed of it last season by 

 all who tasted it : the flavour, even from a standard (for it does 

 not seem to require a wall), was pronounced fully equal to that 

 of the old crassane, and with much less grittiness. These are 

 only a few : others remain to be tried farther in the winter, and 

 in spring ; and many more of similar origin have yet to be 

 fruited. This early notice will, it is hoped, prove satisfactory 

 to the numerous enquirers after these fruits in the colder parts 

 of the kingdom. 



Most of the principal Belgic pears are now pretty generally 

 known ; perhaps the Fondante d'Automne is not so extensively 

 distributed as it ought to be ; like most autumn fruits, its per- 

 fections are not of long duration, yet it is so exceedingly rich 

 and delicious that it ought to be in every private collection. It 

 bears very well as a standard. The Fondante Van Mons is also 

 well deserving of notice ; although scarcely equal to the pre- 

 ceding, yet it is of excellent quality. The Styrian is beautiful, 

 and seems worthy of trial on a wall. The Nelis d'Hiver is gain- 

 ing favour; it is rare to find perfect unanimity of opinion on the 

 merits of fruits, but all seem to agree in regard to the superior 

 excellence of this pear. The Beurre Bosc maintains its cha- 



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