320 
REMARKS OX THE WEATHER. 
such flowering plants as may be increased by such means; house camel¬ 
lias intended to flower early ; sow mignionette in pots and boxes to blow 
in winter; prop chrysanthemums, dahlias, and all other lofty-growing 
plants; lay and take care of carnations and other stage-flowers; sow 
biennials, &c. &c. 
REMARKS ON THE WEATHER, 
During this month we have experienced many extreme changes of 
weather: it came in dry and very warm; but soon the sky became 
clouded, and heavy storms of thunder and lightning ensued, doing 
much damage to windows and garden-frames in some places, from the 
unusual bulk of the hailstones, and the force with -which they de¬ 
scended. These storms were succeeded by a ten-days’ course of dry 
weather; but on the 15th (St. Swithin) a showery season set in, which 
still continues. 
This is a providential change, as many garden-crops were suffering, 
and the summer-planted ones needed a thorough soaking. Celery, 
broccoli, potatoes, kidney-beans, &c., will all be much benefited, be¬ 
sides preparing the ground for whatever may be sown or planted next 
month. All field-crops will be also benefited, except wheat, which 
needs no moisture at this time; for if wet and cold nights were now to 
happen, it would be in jeopardy of blight—that is, mildew, or what, 
from its colour, is called rust (Vaccinia graminus). This, or more 
probably an Mcldia , is very plentiful on some sorts of rose-trees this 
summer, making the leaves appear as if sprinkled with brown powder. 
A timely application of soap-suds and sulphur would have prevented 
this attack. The insects, whose minute caterpillars live on the 'paren¬ 
chyma of leaves of various trees between the upper and under cuticle, 
are, it seems, unusually numerous this season. In one garden, a whole 
wall of pear-trees has been seized; every leaf is tarnished, so that the 
gardener fears he will lose his trees entirely. Such an attapk may, 
indeed, check the growth, but it will not be fatal, as the insects will 
shortly appear on the outside of the leaves, when they may be washed 
off and dispersed. 
July 25th, 1836. 
