THE PHYSIOLOGY OF SOWING SEEDS. 609 
into those seams; but any void spaces left be- 
tween the furrows would also be filled up, and 
the seed be thereby hindered from being buried 
beneath them. 
What has been stated to be requisite for pro- 
moting fully the germination of grain, is true of 
all seeds sown for farming purposes. The prin- 
ciple which governs them all is one; and the laws 
by which that principle operates are the same. 
The same holds good too with respect to planting 
tubers ; or multiplying individuals of any species, 
by means of buds; for buds have many of the 
characteristics of seeds, and germinate first, 
before they vegetate. And it is for the support 
of this germination that tubers are furnished with 
stores of amylaceous matter ; and like seeds, are 
articles of food in consequence. The cuttings 
of potatoes, or the whole tubers which we plant, 
have to undergo a similar change in spritting, as 
seeds undergo in germination, and require similar 
conditions to favour that change, and aid ger- 
mination. Yet, in our treatment of this most 
valuable and accommodating of all plants given 
to man for food, we err more against nature, than 
in all others put together. Patient of every 
climate under the sun, we forget that it can be 
