and that part of the vineyard with which the meads had been used was saved, while not a bud was left unfrosted in the unprotected part. If the dew has not made its appearance towards the middle of the night, it is considered a certain prognostic of frost. However, in the instance recorded, after the vineyard had several nights escaped the frost the person left to watch, supposed he saw the dew an hour before sunrise, and, satisfied with this appearance, neglected to fire the heaps; the consequence was, that the whole was frozen.
It may well be supposed, that so clumsy, and, as it would be in many cases, so expensive a process, even had it succeeded in the experiment by which it is recommended, would not be generally adopted; and, accordingly, I have always found, that the prevention of injury by frost, was considered beyond the power of man.
The same may be said as to the running, so far as the seasons are the cause. The tenuity of the parts of fructification, require the finest weather for their favourable operation. A continuance of wet or cold weather, which presents their developement; dry and hot weather, by which they are parched and withered; or severe gales, which separate them violently, and carry them to a distance all act unfavourably, in preventing the sexual intercourse, and consequently rendering
