40  On  the  Climate  of  the  British  Islands 
grass,  which  renders  it  more  nutritious  than  the  first  year’s  seeds 
rapidly  grown  in  the  moist  climate  of  the  west. 
103.  Effect  of  climate  on  table  vegetables  and  fruit. — Market- 
gardens  are  usually  situated  near  the  population  which  create  the 
demand.  But  railways  now  offer  such  a rapid  mode  of  transit 
that  the  capabilities  of  distant  districts,  more  favoured  by  nature, 
have  been  drawn  on.  A mild  winter  with  an  early  spring,  a 
light,  warm  soil,  and  shelter  from  injurious  winds,  are  the  con- 
ditions of  climate  most  favourable.  Several  such  spots  may  be 
found  on  the  south  coasts  of  England  and  Ireland.  Mount’s  Bay 
will  afford  a good  illustration  of  the  value  of  local  climate.  The 
decomposed  hornblende  rocks  around  Penzance,  form  a rich  warm 
soil,  sheltered  by  a range  of  granite  hills  on  the  west  and  north. 
The  January  temperature  is  42°.  From  this  neighbourhood  large 
quantities  of  vegetable  produce  have  for  some  years  past  been 
sent,  via  Bristol,  to  the  London  market.  Broccoli  are  ready  for 
the  table  at  Christmas  ; cabbages  as  early  as  February  ; turnips 
before  the  end  of  March  ; and  green-peas  by  the  middle  of  May. 
But  it  is  for  the  production  of  the  early  kidney  potato  that  this 
mild  climate  is  most  remarkable.  The  “ rare  crop”  is  planted 
in  November,  and  manured  with  sea-weed,  the  plants  appear  in 
the  second  week  in  February,  and  the  first  batch  of  potatoes  is 
usually  sent  to  Covent-garden  market  about  the  1st  of  May;  a 
succession  is  continued  through  June  and  July.  When  the  first 
crop  is  drawn  a second  crop  is  immediately  planted,  even  so  late 
as  July,  and  yields  a good  return.  About  250  acres  of  early 
potatoes  are  grown  yearly  around  Penzance. 
104.  But  the  mild  winter  of  the  west  is  very  unfavourable  to 
fruit-trees.  The  spring  often  appears  to  set  in  prematurely ; so 
that  the  trees  are  pushed  into  bud,  and  blossom  appears  only  to 
be  destroyed  ; and  when  the  tardy  summer  comes,  the  heat  is 
generally  insufficient  to  impart  that  rich  flavour  to  the  fruit 
which  constitutes  its  perfection.  The  grape  rarely  ripens  in  the 
open  air  ; the  apricot  seldom  affords  any  fruit,  and  the  green- 
gage plum  is  equally  unproductive.  Filbert-trees,  which  succeed 
so  well  in  Kent,  cease  to  yield  any  nuts  ; and  white  currants 
contain  much  acidity.  But  strawberries  are  abundant  and  supe- 
rior, and  gooseberries  come  to  great  perfection.  In  Ireland, 
also,  it  is  a common  topic  with  gardeners  that  the  mayduke  has 
lost  its  flavour,  and  that  peaches  do  not  ripen  well. 
105.  The  apple  requires  shelter.  It  will  not  stand  the  scour- 
ing effect  of  the  south-west,  or  the  blighting  influence  of  the 
north-east  wind,  and  therefore  seeks  a locality  removed  from 
either  coast.  In  the  close,  warm  vales  of  South  Devon  the  trees 
are  productive,  and  much  cider  is  made  (the  South  Ham).  But 
the  most  favoured  situation  for  the  perfection  of  this  fruit,  is  in  the 
