618 Siifnma?y View of the Progress of Gardenings 



meter was 80°, and on the 28th 81°, in the shade. On the 

 1st of the month, the standard ahnonds were in blossom, being 

 about 12 days later than in 1839. This arrear was, however, 

 brought up by the 18th, when the hawthorn (C Oxyacantha) 

 was in leaf 2 days earlier than in the previous year. In a few 

 days after this, the horsechestnut burst into leaf; the birch 

 {B. alba) began to appear green on the 28th; the beech (F. 

 sylvatica), the fig {F. Carica), and the walnut (J. regia) came 

 into leaf between the 1st and 4th of May, The month just 

 mentioned was more favourable to vegetation. There were a few 

 slight frosts at night ; but the vicissitudes of temperature were 

 by no means so great as that experienced in April. Showers were 

 plentiful, and the temperature about an average. The same re- 

 mark applies to June. But instead of the mean temperature of 

 July advancing several degrees, as is usually the case, it scarcely 

 equalled that of June in the present year. To this circum- 

 stance is doubtless to be ascribed the lateness of the period to 

 which the maturation of many productions was delayed, for 

 whilst those months which preceded this maintained their average, 

 as has been stated, the one which followed proved 2^ above it, 

 the mean temperature of August being 64°. September was 

 rather a cold and wet month ; and, as early as the 17th, a sharp 

 frost occurred, which materially affected the growth and flower- 

 ing of the dahlias. October proved more favourable, and 

 afforded a fair share of dry weather, sufficient for collecting and 

 storing up the production of the seasons." 



Crops of 1840. — " It may be observed from the preceding 

 statement, that the winter of 1839-40 was, on the whole, mild, 

 but exceedingly damp till the middle of February, owing to the 

 unusually large quantity of rain, and the very limited degree of 

 evaporation which at any interval was being carried on. Cold 

 dry weather set in after the above-mentioned period. Vege- 

 tation was late, at least it had made but little progress up to 

 the commencement of April ; but was considerably advanced, in 

 consequence of the brightness and high degree of solar heat 

 which were experienced in that month. Blossoms were brought 

 forth in good perfection ; but, owing to the frosts at night, many 

 of the apple blossoms were destroyed in low situations, and, in 

 such, the ci'op of this kind of fruit was but partial. Plums, 

 cherries, and pears were less injured, and the crops of these 

 have been very abundant. The months of May and June were 

 favourable in every respect ; but there wife a drawback with 

 regard to temperature in July, whilst, at the same time, ve- 

 getation, in many instances, was deficient of moisture. When 

 rains became plentiful in the succeeding months, fruits materially 

 increased in size ; but this happening so late, there was neither 

 time nor sufficient solar heat to convert the recently envolumed 



