mature knowledge; and deeply regret that his feeble health, during the preparation of this work, has to a great extent deprived us of his counsel, and the benefits which we and the public might otherwise have derived from his personal revision of our manuscript.

For the original suggestion which led to the preparation of this volume, I gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to my esteemed friend H. F. DURANT, Esq.; also to my beloved father, Rev. A. R. BAKER, for additional assistance.

To the following works and authors I am also indebted for many valuable hints, generally indicated in the text:

The Gardener's Chronicle.

Loudon's Gardeners' Magazine.

Loudon's Encyclopedia of Gardening.

16

PREFACE.

Fitche's Noxious Insects, Published in Transactions

of New York State Agricultural Society.

Address to the Meteorological Society of Scotland, by
Dr. Jas. Stark.

We also acknowledge the kind and generous assistance of PROF. GLOVER of the Maryland Insti

tute.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

of storms

METEOROLOGICAL AGENTS.

Aspect or exposure - Contiguous bodies of water-Nature

Climate of eastern and western districts compared –

Snow storms Severe wind

-

Stagnant air

Aqueous vapor-

Heat-Light- The limits of the vine - Tables - Cold - Elec-

Different exposures; as the summit of hills, northern,

25

CHAPTER II.

ORIGIN AND PROPERTIES OF SOILS.

Soils the result of disintegration - Causes stated by Sir H. Davy -

Boussingault-Hitchcock-Alluvial agencies. Properties: Spe-

cific gravity-Affinity for moisture

the air Capillary attraction

adhesion

-

Absorption of moisture from

State of division-Cohesion and

Absorption of gases from the atmosphere- absorption