202 GKOWTH AND MATURATION 01' THE WOOD OF PLANTS. 



stages of development may be performed, perfectly or imper- 

 fectly, accordingly as external circumstances may influence. And 

 in arriving at this point we are bound to conclude that, supposing 

 the principles which I have pointed out, to be based upon fact, 

 and that the cultivator is guided in his operations by inferences 

 drawn from reasonings upon such principles, then plant cultiva- 

 tion must be classed amongst the sciences. 



With this rapid and imperfect sketch of some of the principles 

 upon M'liicli the growth of plants proceeds, I shall endeavour to 

 inquire Iiow far some of our treatment, as regards temperature, 

 harmonizes therewith. We all know too well that the "head" 

 of a plant may be over stimulated — that its branches may 

 be induced to extend tliemselves at the expense of their bulk. 

 No matter what description of growth the plant may exhibit to 

 us, the principle holds good in all. A plant in such a condition 

 is derisively termed a "lanky" specimen, and indicates bad 

 gardening in many instances. One of the cultivator's most 

 strenuous endeavours is to guard against such etfects, and every 

 means is employed to combat them ; yet it appears to me, that in 

 the face of such facts, we all practise — and the best gardeners in 

 England sanction and recommend it — that which is of all treat- 

 ment the most likely to bring about results that we profess to 

 abhor and to combat. The treatment I allude to is that of 

 shutting up plant-houses at an early hour in a sunny afternoon, 

 with a damp atmosphere and a thermometer 10° or 15° in advance 

 of a gradual and natural decrease. Ever since I have reasoned 

 upon the connection between cause and effect in garden 

 matters, this has appeared to me to be a monstrous innovation 

 upon tliose laws we are all so fond of acknowledging as the guid- 

 ing star of our operations — the laws of nature. I have reasoned 

 upon the practice often ; I have brought what smattering of 

 physiological and practical knowledge 1 possess, to bear upon the 

 subject ; and I must, in justice to myself, confess that I can de- 

 duce notliing in favour of the practice, but very much against it. 

 I will willingly change my opinion if I can read or hear a sound 

 argument to convince me that my opinions are wrong. But in 

 the present state of my researches and observations, I cannot 

 understand iduj the practice is recommended, or what are its good 

 results. I conceive it to be one of those time-honoured practices 

 which we still so fondly cling to, without for a moment consider- 

 ing the rationale of such proceeding ; but in the present advanc- 

 ing state of gardening, when every day enlists more of intelligence 

 and forethought in its service, the principle must be investigated 

 and retained, or condemned, as shall be decided. 



If we discuss the subject upon purely scientific grounds — and 

 that we may safely do, for the most successful practice is but the 



