251 
WINTER REPOSE OF PLANTS. — DECEMBER. 
By the time this article shall be in print, the horticultural winter will be fairly 
established, and it is therefore needful to resume those remarks on the treatment of 
plants which were alluded to in the article of November. Bat previously it will be 
useful to view, retrospectively, the " Characteristics of the Seasons," which, in 
No. clxiv., and at page 177, were brought up to the end of July. 
Every locality has its own peculiar weather ; but in that where the writer resides, 
August became so thoroughly dry, that the grass lost its verdure, leaves fell from 
deep-rooted elms, till they strewed the roads, and all vegetables became weak and 
flaccid. A few opportune showers supported life, and that was nearly all. As a 
harvest month it was faultless, and in temperature was mild and very equable, the 
average of day and night being somewhere about 64°. September had in it eleven 
days more or less rainy ; these rains were very useful, but they merely penetrated 
the surface. The temperature was much reduced. This want of rain-water pro- 
duced much inconvenience in all the floral departments, as of all appliances it is the 
most natural and clean, and, where received by internal tanks supplied from the 
glazed roofs of the houses, is apt to become rather offensive during the long absence 
of showers. Amateurs suffer more than other persons under this privation, the 
quantity they are able to collect being trifling ; but in a large establishment — as, 
for instance, that of Messrs. Rollisson — it abounds : there the utmost sweetness and 
perfect cleanness of leaf prevailed in every house we passed through. The sight was 
beautiful— it spake of attention, ample means, and resources. 
October was gloomy at its commencement, with wind at north-east. The 
character changed with the wind, on the 8th day, to south-west, just one day before 
the great anticipated solar eclipse, which rain clouds entirely concealed in the south 
of England. Subsequently there were warm and sunny days, but several others, at 
intervals, in which showers fell abundantly. The month ended well — temperature 
52° to 55°, finely-shaded clouds, and gentle air. As a whole, it has supported its 
character, and every vegetable and plant has prospered accordingly. 
November opened in a style altogether striking, with all the brilliancy of spring ; 
the sun shone with power, the blue tint of the sky equal to any that is seen in 
April, and the air altogether was bland and soft ; minimum temperature of the night 
52°. The second day was equally warm, and brilliantly sunny, air soft, from south 
by west, mid-day temperature stood at 60°, and in the sun 78°. 
Here we can proceed no farther with the calendar, as time for the press must 
be given ; and as it is not at all desirable to trespass on the charge of others who 
write monthly in this Magazine upon the treatment of Plants in erections of every 
description, we hasten then at once to a subject of painful interest, which also will 
embrace those theoretic principles that apply directly to the philosophy of artificial 
cultivation. 
