400 
REMARKS ON THE WEATHER. 
REMARKS ON THE WEATHER. 
In our last month’s notices of the weather, we then predicted that a 
change would shortly take place. Several thunder-showers fell soon 
afterwards in different parts of the kingdom ; but it was not till the 8th 
of the present month that the long series of dry weather was broken 
up; and since that date we have had much rain both on nights and 
almost every day. 
No one can complain of a dry summer, because, nationally , it has 
always been considered as doing much good, in so far as it brings the 
grain of the richest land, and the fruits of the orchard and garden, to 
the greatest perfection. Partial losses it certainly occasions, as the 
farmer’s turnips, and the gardener’s late crops of salad herbs; but, 
while 
Partial evil is universal good 
there is no room for peevish regret. The rain has come too late, per¬ 
haps, for potatoes and several other culinary plants, which could not be 
assisted by the watering-pot; but, from the great heat of the earth, and 
rain together, the growth of everything, for a month to come, may be ex¬ 
pected to be very rapid, more especially if frost does not set in too soon. 
Our autumns, for the last five or six years, have been remarkably 
mild, no frost to speak of happening before Christmas, and but little 
afterwards. This should not throw us off our guard in the present 
year ; for though at present there is a prospect of a dripping season, 
sharp frosty nights may intervene unawares, and cause injury when 
least expected. In this changeable climate, the gardener can hardly 
be too vigilant in guarding against extremes. The frosts of winter, 
and the sun-beams of summer, are equally hurtful to tender vegetation; 
and he who most effectually provides against those, must necessarily be 
the most successful in his business. This conclusion admits of one 
exception, however, and requires particular notice at this season of the 
year, namely, attention not to overdo protective measures; because, 
if tender plants, such as cauliflower, lettuce, &c., which we wish to 
preserve unhurt through the winter, be, at this season, deprived of 
light and full air unnecessarily, they suffer severely ; because they 
become ten times more liable to injury from cold, than they would 
otherwise be if constantly exposed to air not below thirty degrees of 
Fahrenheit. Another circumstance deserves notice this autumn par¬ 
ticularly:—during* the dry weather, seedlings rose and grew slowly; 
and now fine rains having fallen, extraordinary vigour will be imparted ; 
and in this vigorous state very probably they will be assailed by frost, 
and consequently suffer more than if in more moderate growth. 
September 24/Zf, 1835. / 
