SEARCH
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Prev | Current Page 413 | Next

White, Gilbert, 1720-1793

"The Natural History of Selborne"


It may perhaps appear at first like a paradox; but doubtless the
more tender trees and shrubs should never be planted in hot
aspects; not only for the reason assigned above, but also because,
thus circumstanced, they are disposed to shoot earlier in the spring,
and grow on later in the autumn than they would otherwise do, and
so are sufferers by lagging or early frosts. For this reason also
plants from Siberia will hardly endure our climate: because, on the
very first advances of spring, they shoot away, and so are cut off by
the severe nights of March or April.
Dr. Fothergill and others have experienced the same inconvenience
with respect to the more tender shrubs from North America; which
they therefore plant under north walls. There should also perhaps
be a wall to the east to defend them from the piercing blasts from
that quarter.
This observation might without any impropriety be carried into
animal life; for discerning bee-masters now find that their hives
should not in the winter be exposed to the hot sun, because such
unseasonable warmth awakens the inhabitants too early from their
slumbers; and, by putting their juices into motion too soon,
subjects them afterwards to inconveniences when rigorous weather
returns.


Pages:
401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425