FROM the cultivation of the fields, we proceed to consider that of gardens. These are of two kinds, either for pleasure or profit, and both admit of a good deal of remark in special reference to the Channel Islands. The climate of the islands is perhaps even more clearly indicated by an account of what has been done. with care and knowledge, in the way of introducing, and successfully cultivating, the finer kinds of fruit and certain foreign plants, than by a mere notice of the routine operations of agriculture, and a comparison of two things so different as farm cultivation and crops in a large and small island.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

Most of the fruits cultivated in England, whether in the open air or under glass, or by forcing, are also cultivated more readily, with greater economy, and with at least equal results as to flavour, both in Jersey and Guernsey. On the whole, the aspect of Jersey being more south, is more favourable for fruit than that of Guernsey, and the more clouded atmosphere of the latter island is another reason why the success of cultivation in the open air is less marked. The equable climate, and the absence of chill at night, are, however, redeeming points, and the ripening of fruits there also is regarded as both successful and economical. Rare and valuable fruits, such as the pine, are not cultivated, but there seems no reason why they should not succeed with proper management and artificial heat. The guava has been ripened in Guernsey, and probably many other tropical fruits might be cultivated without much difficulty in houses. There is, doubtless, in all the islands, and especially in Guernsey, an absence of sun heat, and of the direct action of the sun's rays in summer, which must have its effect, and a remarkable prevalence of cold, dry, east wind in late spring, retarding vegetation. Owing also to the rain and damp, the trees suffer from mildew and blight, as well as from various aphides.

The results of cultivation are, notwithstanding, eminently favourable; and although the light-rays do not all penetrate the clouds, the heat and actinic rays seem to be much more successful. However this may be, it is a matter of fact, that almost all garden produce ripens sooner in the islands, than either on the nearest French land, or in England, so that the English market is supplied from them several days earlier than from any other source.

The difference of ripening under glass between Guernsey and Penzance, has not been accurately determined; but between the islands and places a little north of London, the comparison is

unmistakeably in favour of the former, and the fruits cultivated in houses are ready very much earlier. Thus the earliest apricot in Guernsey, in 1861, was ripened by the 24th of June, and near London not before the 9th July. The "red nutmeg," the earliest peach, was a week earlier, and nectarines of the same kind were from sixteen to nineteen days behind. This observation is confirmed by a careful comparison of the periods of bringing the fruit to the table, or to market, during several successful seasons, made by competent authorities.

The Vine.-Many varieties of the vine are known in the islands, but the bulk of the crop is every where the black Hamburgh. It grows freely, of fair colour and rich flavour. The fruit hardly ever ripens in the open air, but the cultivation is almost entirely in houses without heat. With heat it ripens well in May. For earlier produce the supply hardly competes with England; but from May till August very large quantities are sent. Without heat, ripening commences early in August, and lasts till the end of September. It is only within ten years that grapes have been largely exported from Guernsey. The supplies now sent to the London market exceed nine tons per annum, and have steadily increased since 1855, when they did not exceed two and three quarters tons. The export from Jersey is more than double. The cultivation in Jersey is on a scale which deserves to be called gigantic.

The white kinds of grape are declining in favour. Some are unprofitable for want of weight, and others, as the muscats, are objected to, as requiring artificial heat and separate houses. The muscadine or Chasselas varieties, are too thin-skinned to bear carriage, though they are easy to grow.

The number of vineries, both in Jersey and Guernsey, is extremely large, in proportion to the size of the islands. In Jersey, there is an enormous range of houses at Goose Green, between St. Helier and St. Aubin's. These houses alone are said to ripen annually for the market many tons weight of valu

able fruit. In both islands, difference in exposure produces a great difference in the time of ripening.

Peach.-Under this name we include also the nectarine. The absence of autumn heat, and the absence also of sufficient care in the culture, have hitherto resulted in a want of any marked success in reference to its cultivation in the open air. In houses, however, the case is very different. The sorts cultivated in that open air are only those of the mid season, such as Royal George, red Magdalene, and grosse mignonne; but the newer kinds, though admirably adapted for general cultivation, are unknown. nectarines, only the white variety is commonly seen, and much of the soil is ill adapted for this fruit. There is no doubt that the islands are capable of great improvement in the management of this fine fruit.

Of

Apricot.-Wet autumns, and cold summers, do not agree with this fruit, and the out-of-door crops are generally very scanty. The common kinds ripened in France are only fit for preserves, and these are tender sorts not fitted for the climate of the islands.

Plum.-The finer kinds are rare, and the newer and choice American plums have not yet been introduced. The climate would seem, however, well adapted to this fruit, and it would amply repay any speculative grower. The common kinds, such as Washington, magnum bonum, and Perdrigon, are very productive, and show what might be done with proper care.

Cherry.-The Mayduke and Morello are cultivated, with a few others, but generally there is little care taken in the management of this fruit, although in certain parts of the islands it would probably succeed well.

Fig. The Turkey fig(?) (dark purple) is cultivated with great success, both as a standard, and trained on espaliers, in many parts of Guernsey. The fruit is fine, and ripens perfectly in ordinary summers. A white flesh fig is also known, but the flavour is inferior.

Mulberry. There are many trees in the islands, and they sometimes ripen well, but the fruit is not usually equal to that grown in England. There is nothing remarkable in the mode of growth.

Medlar. This is not often successful; the fruit ripens badly, and hardly repays cultivation.

Filberd.-Few nuts of any kind are obtained in the islands. The trees are generally badly managed, and allowed to grow too high and too thick. They rarely bear much fruit, but there seems no reason why they should not succeed better if properly cultivated.

Orange. The orange tree grows freely in sheltered situations, and ripens its fruit in the open air, when trained against good south walls. There are several trees in Guernsey that yield large crops. The fruit is without much flavour, and generally without sweetness, though it is well adapted for marmalade, and grows to a large size. The number of fruit on the older trees is very remarkable. Few things are more remarkable than the appearance of these trees, in the depth of winter, without any shelter whatever, and entirely covered with golden fruit. They will be alluded to again as objects of interest in the flower garden. Several lemon trees are also exposed through the winter.

Apple. We have left till the last the consideration of the two most important and best cultivated fruits of the islands, the apple and pear. The former has long been an object of great attention in Jersey, where, as in Normandy, cider is a common drink. It is less abundant in Guernsey, though there also it is used in the manufacture of cider. It has been comparatively neglected of late in Jersey, owing to a change in cultivation. The pear is very largely cultivated for the market both in Jersey and Guernsey.

In Jersey, the number of cultivated varieties of apple is large, and the management of the grafts very careful. The names of fifty-seven kinds have been kindly communicated by Mrs. Le