ring that
portion of the year when the sun exerts his greatest power in our
latitude. It is not because they cannot be induced to grow at any other
period of the year, for the mere extension of vegetable tissue will go on,
though the influence of the natural agents is but limited and feeble; but
it is because maturity, perfect development, and, above all, the full
assimilation of the sap, cannot take place sufficiently to ensure a good
flavour in the fruit, except light and heat are not only unimpeded and
constant, but powerful and united in their action.

CHAP. X.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

I will here briefly recall attention to a most important point which the
cultivator should continually keep in view: it is most important that he
should _study Nature_; for if we may believe our senses, or place any
confidence in overwhelming evidence, we may be certain that all the
conditions we observe in a natural state of things, have been planned by
an All-wise hand; and further, that a finite mind can never attempt with
success, either to surpass or to dispense with any portion of that which
an infinite being has ordained. "Order is Heaven's first law," and in
whatever we may attempt to do, we shall not be wise, if we endeavour to
effect our purpose by any means which may distort the fair proportions
which unaided nature presents to our view. In cultivating plants,
therefore, we should administer the conditions which are favourable to
their growth and development, in somewhat the same proportions each to the
other, in which they are naturally blended--not supplying one essential,
in an undue manner, and, at the same time, neglecting others; for
successful cultivation must ever depend upon the connection and influence
of numerous circumstances upon each other, and can never be attained,
unless these conditions are complied with, either designedly, or, as it
often happens, by mere accident.

Another point which it is important to keep in view, is that instructions
should be studied, rather than copied, in their application to practice.
No instructions can be given that should be blindly and implicitly
followed. The circumstances under which plants are placed are varying
every day, and even every hour, and, to be successful, horticultural
practice must be varied also. It must, however, be varied according to
principle. But even what are regarded as established laws and principles
should not be heedlessly followed; to be tr