42  On  the  Climate  of  the  British  Islands 
all  the  moisture  from  the  leaves,  and  rapidly  dries  and  withers 
the  plant. 
94.  The  climate  of  Scotland,  in  an  agricultural  point  of  view, 
has  many  great  defects,  among  the  chief  of  which  may  be  reckoned 
— the  low  summer  temperature — the  lateness  of  the  spring — the 
occasional  prevalence  of  north-easterly  winds,  and  fogs — with  the 
heavy  shake-winds  from  the  mountains  in  September.  Much 
rain  often  falls  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer,  causing  great 
damage  to  the  crops,  and  a cold  wet  harvest.  In  the  low  land 
of  Dumfriesshire,  on  an  average  of  ten  years,  upwards  of  4 inches 
of  rain  falls  in  July.  These  circumstances  call  for  all  that  skill, 
activity,  and  foresight  which  characterise  the  Scotch  farmers. 
95.  Effect  of  Climate  on  the  Growth  of  Roots,  Grass,  and  Fod- 
der.— I have  placed  this  under  a distinct  head,  as  a climate  in 
many  respects  different  from  that  required  for  grain  is  the  most 
desirable.  Whilst  the  dry  atmosphere  and  generally  heavy  soils 
of  the  eastern  plain  of  England  are  well  adapted  for  the  perfec- 
tion of  wheat,  the  cool  summers  and  humid  air  of  the  western  coast, 
and  of  Scotland  are  better  fitted  for  the  production  of  roots  and 
fodder.  The  structure  of  the  soil  is  also  open  and  porous,  and, 
except  on  some  few  clayey  districts,  the  large  quantity  of  rain  is 
readily  absorbed.  Ireland  has  the  most  humid  climate,  but  it  has 
also  the  most  friable  soil.  If  the  clay  of  the  lias,  or  of  the  Weald 
of  Kent,  were  largely  developed  in  Ireland,  it  would  present  a 
scene  of  cold  sterility.  But  its  light  warm  soil,  and  moist  air, 
are  peculiarly  fitted  for  the  production  of  the  potato,  which  has 
yielded  abundant  crops  under  the  most  wretched  system  of 
culture.  This  root  everywhere  delights  in  a free  open  soil,  with 
plenty  of  moisture  ; and,  under  nearly  similar  conditions  of  climate, 
has  been  also  extensively  cultivated  in  Lancashire,  Cornwall,  and 
in  the  south-west  of  Scotland. 
96.  The  Turnip  is  sensitive  of  climate  and  soil,  and  though  its 
great  agricultural  value  will  more  than  justify  its  being  raised  in 
situations  not  the  best  suited,  yet  under  more  favourable  condi- 
tions, heavier  crops  will  be  grown.  On  a close  clayey  soil  satu- 
rated with  rain,  turnips  will  not  grow;  and  on  a light  sandy  soil, 
without  moisture,  they  cannot.  A soil  open  to  atmospheric  in- 
fluence, supplied  with  a considerable  quantity  of  moisture,  and 
having  a good  under-drainage,  in  which  manure  can  be  rapidly 
decomposed,  and  fitted  for  assimilation,  is  that  in  which  they 
delight.  The  plant  grows  fast  and  will  not  bear  a check,  so  that 
a constant  supply  of  air,  moisture,  and  nutriment  to  the  root  is 
indispensable.  A cool  summer,  and  mild  genial  autumn,  are  fur- 
ther desirable  to  bring  the  bulb  to  its  greatest  perfection.  These 
requisites  are  more  generally  found  in  the  west  and  north  of  Eng- 
land, and  in  the  low  lands  of  Scotland,  than  elsewhere  in  Bri- 
