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has in his mind at once the leading characteristics of the fullformed plant.

Let us for a moment consider the question, How do plants grow? or in other words, How is the life of the plant sustained and its growth promoted? The answer is that the plant selects, in liquid form, its appropriate food from the soil in which it is located; that this liquid substance which we call sap passes up through the pores of the wood to the leaf, where it undergoes a change like the blood in the lungs of the animal, when it returns and is deposited upon the outside, beneath the bark, and this deposit becomes hardened, and constitutes the season's growth. How simple this process appears, yet it is not free from mystery. By what sort of instinct I know of no better word to use. are trees and plants enabled to select, each for itself, just the food necessary for their growth? The oak upon the hill-side and the shrub beneath its shadow select their appropriate nutriment with never-failing skill. We find the wild and cultivated plants grow-ing side by side, the one characterized by its beauty, and the other by its ugliness; one filling the air with its delightful fragrance, the other with its disgusting odor; the one a deadly poison, the other its antidote.

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But the selection of appropriate food, by each variety of plant, is not the only mystery attending plant growth. By what power or influence is the sap carried to every part of the tree in due proportions? The amount of sap carried up from the ground, in case of a large tree or vine, is by no means inconsiderable. If a vine is severed in spring many gallons of sap escape, much more than would have sufficed for the growth of the vine. So of our larger forest trees. By what power is this large quantity of sap carried to the topmost twigs? Not by suction, surely, for by atmospheric pressure we can only raise water thirty-three or thirtyfour feet. Not by lifting or forcing, surely, for there is no power above or below, by which the operation can be performed. It may be aided somewhat by capillary attraction, but this principle fails to explain fully the phenomenon, as capillary attraction would be quite as strong in the dead tree as in the living. We also know that the sap is active where the tree has no top, as we see it escaping in large quantities from the stump of the birch and maple that have been cut during winter. It may be said that this is caused by some power exerted at the root; but how can we account for the fact that the yellow pine, willow, and some

others, will often grow for a whole season after having been cut and piled upon our wood-lots? The truth is that this phenomenon has never been fully explained. The sap circulates in the plant as the blood in the animal. We have not yet discovered all the secrets of nature. But there are other mysteries. I shall make no attempt to allude to them all.

We know that light is essential to the growth and health of plants. It is a mistaken notion that plants grow more rapidly in the night than in the day, as may be demonstrated by very simple experiments. It is also known that light is a compound made up of all the colors. Without exposure to light plants would be destitute of color. By the prism we can separate the colors of light, but how it is that the plant not only does this, but fixes the colors when separated and makes them a part of itself, has never been explained. The earth is carpeted, as it were, with plants and flowers of every hue. The artist studies their delicate tints and strives to transfer them to his canvas, but never with perfect

success.

But light affects plants in other ways. They have a sort of affinity for it. Many flowers appear as the morning light becomes strong, and fold themselves to sleep as the sun declines. They do not condescend to show their delicate faces in a cloudy day, and many have supposed that the closed flower was a prognostic of the approaching storm. It simply indicates an absence of light. Some flowers follow the sun, in its diurnal rounds, so closely as to almost answer the purpose of a sun dial. The most familiar example is the plant which, from this circumstance, is commonly known as the sunflower. Most of the vines twine in the direction of the sun's motion. A few perverse specimens, like some men, travel in the opposite direction from sheer obstinacy.

Variegation in the leaves of plants is supposed to indicate disease. I have been unwilling to adopt this theory, but felt almost forced to do so. It is certainly true that plants with variegated foliage are less vigorous than others of the same species The advice of Mr. Greeley to his Kansas friend, to grow the plain handle variety of broom corn, as being more hardy than those having stripes on the handle, certainly indicates that our best informed agriculturists have observed this important fact, and that a knowledge of it may be of practical value.

But I have taxed your patience too long. I only regret that I have not been able to present the subject in a more attractive

form. I trust that my effort may serve to attract attention to a subject that has been intensely interesting to me.

At this season of the year plant growth is at a stand still,— plant life is slumbering, but it is not extinct. Vitality lies stored up in the seed, root and branches, and only waits the genial air of May to rouse it to new activity. Nature allows the tree to sleep for a season, with pleasant dreams of the coming spring. The birds will soon sing again in its branches, and its fresh verdure and flowers will make the landscape beautiful, and fill the air with delightful fragrance. This is emblematic of the Christian's hope. With something akin to faith, the tree casts off its sombre garment in autumn, and cheerfully endures the biting blasts of winter to come forth again after its death-like slumber, strengthened and with renewed vigor.

If we watch closely the development and progress of vegetable life and growth for a single season, from the germination of the seed and the unfolding of the bud, to the ripening of the fruit, we shall have discovered a new world. New objects of interest will present themselves on every hand. We cannot fail to form higher views of the wisdom and skill of their author.

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THE CEREAL CROPS.

WHEAT.

At one of the meetings of the Board, the subject of wheat growing was proposed and discussed at some length, without any special preparation by any individual. It was an impromptu dis

cussion.

Mr. Lawrence, of Somerville, Mass., said he represented a firm which tilled three hundred acres of land, and raised millet for fodder Soil inclined to be gravelly, not thick, naturally poor. The farm was capable of bearing twenty bushels of corn per acre; made it experimental; raised wheat with other crops-forty to fifty bushels per acre, with proper dressing. A bushel of wheat contains, according to Ville, phosphate of lime to a large amount. All plants must have it to produce grains. selects best seed, plows the ground thoroughly, sows in furrows, and harrows well with the cultivator harrow. Wheat can be raised

in New England.

He raises spring wheat,

We have an idea that chemistry is beyond us, but there is common sense in science. If we can give a reason we ought to be satisfied, and we must give a reason. He advocated thorough pulverization so that the roots may take up the nourishment they need.

An acre that will grow a ton of weeds will grow also a ton of grass. As we can't cultivate wheat after it is sown, he has brushed it over to advantage to kill the weeds. He said women want white flour. He advised to put back into the flour the phosphate which is taken out in bran. In order to raise corn and meal we must have phosphate. It exists in good native soils. The white flour we buy does not have much phosphate. He wished every farmer would try an acre and note the result.

Mr. Joel Baker, of Lebanon, said he could practice but not

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