in 1851, thirty-three dozens; and in 1850, thirty dozens." The rays of the sun possess certain chemical properties which produce saccharine fermentation in the fruit. Every one who eats it knows how much superior the flavor is of those which have been beautifully colored to others of the same variety which are green. In no sort is this difference more strongly marked than in the Vicar of Winkfield's pear. Those which are colored ripen easily, their flavor is very good, while in the remainder the saccharine fermentation has never commenced, and they are only fit for culinary purposes. When we examine the best system of pruning, we shall see that the most successful cultivators have adopted those plans which give abundant opportunity for the rays of the sun to reach every fruit. Not only does the light of the sun influence vegetable growth, but that of the moon affects them more than might be expected. It is well known that during the day the leaves are constantly decomposing the water contained in their sap, and setting free the oxygen, while they store up the carbon. In the night this function ceases: the oxygen is slowly absorbed, and carbonic acid evolved. Therefore, in the morning the plant must first replace the carbon which was lost during the night before it can grow. According to Professor Zantedeschi, in moonlight nights this loss of carbon is not only prevented, but carbonic acid is slowly acquired. He placed several plants, which were in full growth, where they would receive no light, and at the rise of the moon he exposed a part of them to its rays. These kept their green color and healthy appearance, while the others perished. He states that this influence of the moon, if true, is probably the cause of the increased growth of plants during the full of the moon, which has been noticed by some naturalists. The meteorological phenomena which influence the growth and productiveness of fruit-bearing plants have now been considered, and it remains for us to name those fruits which are adapted to the different exposures. The summit of hills cannot easily be protected from severe winds in the manner which was suggested upon plains, but must be more or less subject to them. Therefore, in the selection of fruits for such a position, those should be chosen which hold fast to the tree. The Flemish Beauty pear is notorious for the ease with which it separates from the spur. If we examine for the cause, we find that all those large pears which have slender stems, drop easily ; the wind swings them, the stem breaks, and the fruit falls. This style of stem is more generally found in the Bergamottes, as in figure 1. Where the stem is thick and fleshy, and especially if it has NORTHERN EXPOSURE. 45 a lip on one side, as at (A) in figure 2, it will be likely to maintain its hold. Among those pears which are most reliable upon such a site, may be named, All of Northern exposure is best adapted to the most tender species, because it is comparatively free from those vicissitudes of temperature which are found on a southern slope. It is a well-known fact that where ivies and rhododendrons will perish during the first winter in which they are exposed on the southern or eastern side of a building or declivity, they flourish often for years on the northen. If we examine closely the bud of a hardy tree during the winter, we shall discover that it consists of many layers of minute leaves, and that the whole is covered with a coat of scales that is lined with a thick pubescence,.which acts as a non-conductor of heat. This is generally true of the buds of all trees of a cold climate. Consequently they require regular 46 NORTHERN EXPOSURE. heat for a long time to bring them forth from their dormant state. Thus it will be seen that such species as possess this quality will not be subject to injury during the warm days of winter. Those fruits, however, which are indigenous to a more tropical clime, do not possess these outer scales, and therefore a few warm days bring them immediately into blossom. Even if they do not fully open their petals, the heat has started the sap and irritated the bud, and a sudden fall of temperature will kill the tender germ. Such are the peach, apricot, and nectarine. This is not only a property of species, but is more or less modified in varieties. Nature does not bestow her gifts unnecessarily. A variety which originates where such protection would not be required, has this property so modified as to render it tender in severer latitudes. Therefore native varieties of fruit are generally better adapted to cultivation, and freer from disease, than those of foreign origin. On a northern or northwestern exposure, these tender species or varieties remain frozen during the whole winter, and do not start in the spring until all danger from severe frost is past. When we desire to extend the time of maturity in a variety, it should be planted on such a site; while to hasten it, the opposite exposure should be chosen. Grapes should not be planted on a slope to SOUTHERN EXPOSURE. 47 the north, as they require the direct rays of the sun to bring them to sufficient maturity to produce wine, and the cold temperature of the north would delay this until the early frosts of autumn would have prevented it. Southern exposure. This is much more liable to extremes than the northern. All except the most hardy fruits will be affected injuriously by the thaws of winter. But those which do successfully baffle with these hardships produce the most luscious specimens, as the power of the sun is greater here, and the saccharine fermentation proceeds with vigor. On this exposure the amateur would not think of planting any but the most hardy varieties. There are some fruits, such as the grape, which flourish on a southern slope. There they receive a greater degree of heat, and their maturity is therefore hastened before the early frosts of autumn. In such a case the cold does not injure them, because they contain so much sugar, while it destroys those which are immature. The air is dryer, too, and they are not so subject to mildew and other diseases. The cultivation of fruit in low valleys is accompanied with great risk; while it is superior to all others in beauty, yet the succulent growth consequent upon a stagnation of the air, and a partial exhaustion of its carbonic acid, renders the wood |