6 



On Climate, fyc. 



exalted temperature, but this temperature, in spring, differs 

 from the warmth of a more advanced period of the year, or 

 of a more southern climate, in not being accompanied by an 

 increase of moisture. In the extremely dry state of the 

 atmosphere to which I am now alluding, the enormous ex- 

 halation from the blossoms of tender fruit trees, which must 

 thus be induced, cannot fail of being extremely detrimental ; 

 the effect of shading the plants from the direct rays of the 

 sun should therefore be ascertained. The state of the 

 weather to which I refer, often occurs in April, May, and 

 June, but seldom lasts many hours. Great mischief, how- 

 ever, may arise in a very small interval of time, and the 

 disadvantage of a partial loss of light cannot be put in com- 

 parison with the probable effect which I have pointed out. 



During the time in which I kept a register of the weather, 

 I have seen in the month of May, the thermometer in the 

 sun at 101°, while the dew-point was only 34°, the state of 

 saturation of the air, upon a south wall, consequently only 

 amounted to 120, a state of dryness which is certainly not 

 surpassed by an African Harmattan. The shelter of a mat 

 on such occasions, would often prevent the sudden injury 

 which so frequently arises at this period of the year. 



Some of the present practices of gardening are founded 

 upon experience of similar effects, and it is well known that 

 cuttings of plants succeed best in a border with a northern 

 aspect protected from the wind : or, if otherwise situated, 

 they require to be screened from the force of the noon-day 

 sun. If these precautions be unattended to, they speedily 

 droop and die. For the same reason, the autumn is selected 



