WINTER MEETING, 18S2. 13 



nean to the Baltic, and in Asia everywhere north of the Altai range of mountains. 

 Flint states that in England 30 distinct species of grasses were found in a 

 single foot of what was considered average old turf. I think it would bo diffi- 

 cult to find a single rod of ground at all covered with vegetation which did not 

 support a score or more of species. Few people, too, realize how greatly the 

 beauty of every landscape depends upon this mingling of species. It has been 

 remarked by one of the best art critics that in no way does the genius of the 

 great masters in landscape painting show itself more clearly than in tlie work- 

 ing into thoir pictures of the infinite variety of vegetable forms which always 

 exists in nature. Let any one attempt to make a landscape for himself, either 

 in the field or on canvas, and he will find that- it gains in power, spirit, and 

 beauty just in proportion as it truly represents the thousands of forms which 

 in nature always meet the eye. 



But is this mingling of forms of any farther use than that of beauty? The 

 answer comes quickly, 0, yes ! It makes our world far more enjoyable, and it 

 even makes men better ! For dear as are corn and beans to the New England 

 heart, it may be questioned whether they have exerted a greater influence in. 

 shaping New England character than have the birch, the beech, or hickory 

 which grew so conveniently near the school house door. Who can tell what 

 that character would have been if all those persuaders had had to be imported? 

 Is it not possible that the train robbery and murder of Kansas and Missouri 

 might have been saved if their fertile prairies, besides their wealth of grass 

 and wheat and corn had grown some such plants conveniently near her homes 

 and school houses? 



But how was this mixture'brought about? Plants are of all living organisms 

 the most stationary ; and granting that they were originally created and estab- 

 lished in this mixed condition, how could they maintain it through the con- 

 stant changes wrought by frost, fire, flood, and tempest? How do we do when 

 we want variety in our grounds? We transplant. How do we do this? We 

 first wait until the leaves are fully ripened and fallen and the plant is in a 

 dormant condition. Why? Because the leaves, although essential to the 

 health and growth of the plant when in an active and growing condition, keep 

 up an incessant demand for food and water, and if the roots cannot supply 

 these, as they could not while in transit to and before becoming established in 

 their new home, the leaves would soon drain the rest of the plant of its food 

 and so starve it and then perish themselves. But if we wait until the leaves 

 have completed their work we shall find at the base of each ripened leaf a tiny 

 bud ; and in this, snugly tucked up in covering scales, are sleeping tiny new 

 leaves, which do not now demand much food or water, but which are ready 

 when these are supplied to spring into life and growth and reclothe the plane 

 with newer and fresher leaves. 



2d. We carefully dig up and secure attached to the plant in an uninjured 

 condition as many roots as possible. Why? Becanse they are practically the 

 only means the plant has of securing nourishment, and we must provide it with 

 the means of collecting this in its new home. 



3d. We cut off a greater portion of the top. Why? Because, do the best 

 we can, we can only secure a small portion of the roots, and these in an injured 

 condition, and they are certain of being still farther injured in the journey, so 

 that it will take tliem some time to become established and get to work in 

 their new home ; and then in weakened numbers and condition can only nour- 

 ish and push into active growth a very few of the many buds originally on the 

 plant. Gardeners all understand this and cut off the tops of their plants so as 



