84 
WINDS, AND THEIR CURRENT EFFECTS ON VEGETATION. 
I 
not extruded their buds, a determination of fluids to their more porous extremities 
was effected, and with such as had begun to elongate their parts, the like motion, \ 
with a still greater susceptibility of surface, must have taken place. These of 
course augmented the discharge of both moisture and heat. 
Let us pass, however, to the application of these facts ; for, as in ethics, the 
bare relation of incidents, even when their collateral causes are rigidly examined, 
is of little value compared with the motives and guides to subsequent action which 
may be deduced therefrom. * The first inference that meets our view, is that 
thermometers are only useful in uniformly still states of the atmosphere ; for the 
moment it becomes agitated by winds, human feelings are the best test of its cold- 
ness. In tempestuous weather, therefore, no instrument should be trusted ; but 
protection afforded in the same comparative degree as it is found necessary to 
maintain our own warmth. 
Still, to guard against misrepresentation, and check any disposition to make 
use of this direction without due limitation, it must be added that when the sun is 
potent enough to re-invigorate the plants on which winds are exerted, everything 
indicates that they are beneficial. It is merely when the external resources of 
heat are small, and there is no natural provision to make good the deficiencies 
consequent on extensive deprivations, that bad results may be anticipated, or 
remedies adopted. 
The remaining deduction we have to make, is one which refers more explicitly 
to the active management of tender plants. It relates to the desirableness of 
sheltering them from the hurtful operation of spring gales. In the culture of the 
choicer kinds of fruit trees, such a measure is rarely neglected ; and why equally 
susceptive flowering shrubs should not be similarly provided for, it is difiicult to 
opine. Perhaps it may be said that as the former are obviously grown for their 
fruit, and as this could not be secured without some protection, policy dictates its 
employment. So, of ornate plants, we may likewise allege that the end of their 
cultivation being to procure a good display of blossoms, there is not a whit the 
less necessity for protective tendance at that season : and we are persuaded it will 
not be grudged by those who deliberately sift these remarks. 
With the simple assertion that what has here been brought forward has no 
reference to other than plants in the open ground, the entrance of wind to floricul- 
tural erections being effectually barred, and its action on their roofs too indirect to 
merit particular notice, we shall now conclude our observations on these mighty 
but versatile emissaries of Nature ; assured that, by vigilantly watching their 
effects, we may gain some definite opinions respecting their peculiar powers. 
