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ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



IX. A few Remarks concerning Soil and Climate in relation to the 

 Cultivation of Emit Trees. By Mr. W. Ingram, Belvoir 

 Gardens. 



The marked difference which exists in the quality of the hardy 

 fruits produced in different parts of the country intimates the 

 powerful influence exercised by circumstances of soil and climate. 

 Every gardener finds, in undertaking a new place, that he has 

 many local secrets to unravel before he can succeed in meeting the 

 requirements of the various objects of his care. I may say, paren- 

 thetically, that some knowledge of geology and meteorology often 

 proves of great assistance to gardeners, and saves the trials and 

 troubles of that experience which, it is said, at last enlightens 

 the unenlightened. 



Admitting, then, that we find a great diversity of soil and some 

 marked climatic peculiarities in this country (not in every case 

 due to the latitude of the position), and recognizing the powerful 

 influence of these circumstances on the fruits we cultivate, the 

 practical and natural inquiry next presents itself, Can circum- 

 stances, naturally unfavourable, be so far modified as to enable the 

 cultivation of such fruits as the peach, the apricot, and the pear 

 to be successfully pursued ? There can be but little doubt that, 

 in the majority of cases, the skill of the practical horticulturist 

 may overcome difficulties of soil more readily than those of climate ; 

 and I am disposed to believe that a very great step towards suc- 

 cessful fruit-culture is made when that soil is provided which is 

 suited, by its composition, to the requirements of the tree, and 

 calculated not only to afford pabulum for a healthy development 

 of wood, but also for the prolonged production of fruit. As an 

 illustration of the influence of good soil in the production of fine 

 fruit, we find that the best examples come as often from the north 

 and midland counties as from the south-eastern, where greater 

 climatic advantages are enjoyed. As the circumstances within 

 control, which unfavourably affect local climate, such as extensive 

 tracts of woodland, waste and uncultivated land, stagnant water, 

 &c, are not often placed within the scope of a gardener's improving 

 hand, comment on them is not perhaps necessary. I venture, 

 however, to say that local climate may be improved by high 

 cultivation and drainage applied to waste and neglected land : a 

 well-drained, well-managed garden is always the warmest spot in 

 a neighbourhood. Where superior cultivation is not the rule, one 

 very important climatic circumstance, the fall of rain, may, at all 



