AND FARMING PRODUCE. 299 



" staflP of life," stand first in importance to the 

 cultivator. Wherever civilization has extended, 

 an adequate supply of grain has been considered 

 as essential to the well-being of the community. 

 The want of such a supply we have all felt, and 

 partly still feel, and we need not apply to the 

 annals of history for vouchers to such an asser- 

 tion. Whatever, then, tends to promote the 

 growth of grain, and multiply its increase — so as 

 to make bread plentiful, and good, and cheap, is 

 worthy the attention, not merely of the cultivator 

 — but of every one, who feels interested in the 

 weal of his fellow-men ; and rejoices, in the com- 

 mon good of his country. 



The vegetable structure has been reared in all 

 kinds of grain, before fructification commences. 

 Every culm or straw has shot up aloft into ear, 

 and the air, so as to command the full action of 

 sunshine and daylight. The organs also have 

 been changed by the accession of a new principle, 

 and along with this change, not merely the organs 

 themselves, but a change of functions has also been 

 introduced throughout the whole plant. The 

 roots extend themselves no farther within the 

 soil. The blades have attained their full size 

 and proportions. And within the culm has ac- 



