16 



On Climate, fyc. 



tance from the equator, and there is a greater difference 

 between a thermometer placed in the shade, and another in 

 the solar rays in this country, than in Sierra Leone, or 

 Jamaica. The observations of the President of this Society 

 upon the growth of Pine-apples is in exact accordance with 

 this idea, for he has remarked that this species of plant, 

 though extremely patient of a high temperature, is not by 

 any means so patient of the action of very continued bright 

 light as many other plants, and much less so than the Fig and 

 Orange tree ; and he is inclined to think that on this account 

 they may be found to ripen their fruit better in the spring 

 than in the middle of the summer * This energy of the 

 sun is at times so great that it often becomes necessary to 

 shade delicate flowers from its influence, and I have already 

 pointed out a case in which it would be desirable to try the 

 same precaution with the early blossom of certain fruit trees. 

 The greatest power is put forth in this country in June, while 

 the greatest temperature of the air does not take place till 

 July. The temperature of summer may thus be anticipated 

 a month, in well secured situations. 



The greatest disadvantage to which Horticulture is subject 

 in this climate, is the uncertainty of clear weather ; a cir- 

 cumstance which art has, of course, no means to control ; no 

 artificial warmth is capable of supplying the deficiency when 

 it occurs, and without the solar beams fruits lose their flavour 

 and flowers the brightness of their tints. It has been at- 

 tempted to communicate warmth to walls by means of fire 

 and flues, but without the assistance of glass no great success 

 has attended the trial. 



* See Horticultural Transactions, vol. iv. page 548. 



