210 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ Septembeb, 
most varieties—a point of no small importance, for in tlie case of many 
good Pears there is only a very short season during which they can be called 
eatable. The tree is hardy and a good hearer, succeeding well on the 
Quince, either as a pyramid or standard. B. 
THE HOT DRY SEASON OF 1868. 
jJj^OW that the intense heat, bright sun, and absence of rain, which 
have characterised the last eight or ten weeks, have given place to 
pleasanter weather, it may he as well, before the impression dies 
away, to compare notes as to the effects which this heat, sun, and 
drought have had upon Vegetation in general, and on Fruits in 
particular, because these afford some interesting evidences of those effects. 
As gardeners, we are accustomed to consider a great amount of sun heat to 
he one of the chief requisites necessary to the perfection of fruit-growing, 
more especially wall fruits ; hut after the experience of the past season I 
incline to the opinion that this must he taken with a reservation, and that 
a violent and long-continued heat, uninterrupted by rains or anything to 
cool the atmosphere at intervals, is more likely to he injurious than bene¬ 
ficial to the fruit, by causing it to ripen prematurely, and with a great 
deficiency in size and flavour. At all events, such has been the case with 
most of the out-door fruits at this place, which have this year ripened-off 
long before the usual time, and before they had attained a proper size 
and maturity. The early-set fruits of Strawberries may be taken as an 
exception ; they ripened gradually before the heat set in so intensely, and 
were consequent-y very fine both in size and quality, but the later-set fruit 
changed colour before it was half grown, so that the season was very short. 
Raspberries were altogether deficient as regards size, flavour, and crop, 
although at one time most promising ; a comparatively wet season always 
suits them best. Gooseberries on the whole ripened-off prematurely, and 
were far from attaining their usual size and flavour. Currants from stand¬ 
ing pretty closely together, and being well clothed with foliage, fared rather 
better, but were not up to the mark. Cherries on south walls ripened early, 
and were small and dry; on the contrary the same sorts on a north wall 
were full-sized and of excellent quality. Jaune Hatif Plums were ripe by 
the last week in June, a fortnight earlier than usual; the fruit was very 
small, dry, and flavourless. • 
To-day (Aug. 6th), I have gathered the last of a crop of about two 
thousand Apricots. In ordinary seasons we should consider it early 
to gather the first so soon in August. Wherever the fruit was well protected 
by the foliage it was very superior both in size and quality; but where 
exposed to the fierce rays of the sun it was small, and although dead ripe 
on the sunny side, was very often green at the back. Should not this teach 
