166 
EFFECTS OF FROST AND SUN’S RAYS, &c. 
for table as early as possible without actual forcing; they have inva¬ 
riably been less prolific than the same kinds in cooler situations. 
The foregoing observations are only intended as an introduction to 
the practical inference to be deduced from them, and that is, that it is 
highly probable as many fruit-trees are occasionally barren , and as 
muchfruit lost by ardent sunshine and heat ref ected from a south wall, 
as there is lost by the ordinary attack of frost. This idea we have 
elsewhere * propounded to practical men, who may put it to the test of 
experiment by employing some easily applied kind of shading from ten 
o’clock in the morning of bright days till three in the afternoon, to trees 
in flower; and which attention, if bestowed for a short time, even on a 
single tree, would soon prove whether any practical advantage be 
derivable from such precaution. Where curtains of bunting are 
employed, dropping them during the heat of the day would have the 
best effect in qualifying intense heat, or mitigating parching winds. 
Indeed, the first idea we had of the necessity of shade as well as shelter 
being requisite for wall fruit-trees, was gained by seeing an abundant 
crop of apricots once preserved by small ivy boughs stuck over a tree, 
which proved at once both a shelter and a shade; the ivy not being 
removed till the fruit were as large as mazagan beans. 
At the moment we are writing (7th April), wall fruit-trees are 
mostly in bloom; but such is the equable state of the weather, with a 
clouded atmosphere, that there is neither danger from frost on nights, 
nor sun-burning by day : and should such weather continue for another 
month, judging from the present appearance of the trees, heavy crops 
may be expected. 
Before this paper is published it is most likely that all wall fruit- 
trees will be out of flower, so that those readers who agree in our 
conclusion may not have opportunity this season to put it to the test ; 
but the subject is well worth consideration, and should not be forgotten. 
The flowers of the grape-vine are very delicate, and were they not 
partially shaded by the early and ample foliage, would certainly suffer 
from the drying sun and wind ; but the vine being self-protected needs 
less manual assistance than other trees, whose flowers appear before the 
leaves. 
* “ Illustrations of Vegetable Physiology.” 
