SCIENCE OF GARDENING. 



will be useful instrument? to the cultivator, as indicating 

 wliat tlie senses, however nicely tutored, can never so 

 accurately make known. The occurrence of frost, re- 

 minding him of the need of protection for some plants, — 

 of rain, admonishing him to gather in crops that require 

 to be stored while dry, or to plant such as will be bene- 

 fited by moisture^ — of gales of wind, pointing out the 

 necessity of shelter and support. — may thus often be fore- 

 seen and XDro'^dded against. A few simple rules, such as 

 a good almanack vrill furnish, relating to the leading signs 

 of the weather, may be of great service in gardening. 



Frost commonly occurs when the sky is clear, and 

 during the time the moon is above the horizon, or after 

 hail storms. A lurid redness in the sky about sun-rise, 

 or a very sudden and extensive fall of the barometer, por- 

 tends violent winds. Kain generally follows a heavy gale, 

 or a sudden fall or rise in the temperature : and cold 

 showery weather mostly .succeeds to thunder storms. In 

 summer, rain seldom comes with the first cloudiness after 

 a week or two of drought, but is lingering and tardy in its 

 arrival. Very low clouds, however thin, are commonly 

 charged with rain, Xear tidal rivers or the sea, a con- 

 tinued rain may be expected if it commence steadilyjust 

 about the occurrence of high water. 



Such rtiles might easily be extended to a great length, 

 were they of more universal application ; but different 

 localities have such various weather symptoms ; and 

 general directions of this sort are not entirely and at all 

 times to be depended on. They are only tiseful as com- 

 mon (not invariable) guides. 



7.—SoiIs. 



These, as far as the mere matter of which they are 

 made up is concerned, are of little consequence in them- 

 selves. But they are of the highest valtie as the means 

 of conveying other things, and may contain ingredients 

 which plants will largely feed upon. They may be con- 

 sidered with reference to their texture, and their capacity 

 for being pervaded by roots, or for receiving liquids au'l 

 gases and transmitting them to plants. 



