36 Influence of Climnte on the Frnitfulness of Plants, 



INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON THE FRUITFULNESS OF PLANTS. 



By a Correspondent. 



The cultivated plants yield the greatest products near the 

 northernmost limit in which they will grow. 



I have been forcibly impressed with this fact, from observing 

 the productions of the various plants, which are cultivated for 

 food and clothing in the United States. The following instances 

 will go far to establish the principle, viz : 



The cotton, which is a tropical plant, yields the best staple, and 

 surest product, in the temperate latitudes. The southern parts 

 of the United States have taken the cotton market from the East 

 and West Indies, both as regards quantity and quality. This is 

 partly owing to the prevalence of insects within the tropics, but 

 principally to the forcing nature of a vertical sun. Such a de- 

 gree of heat developes the plant too rapidly — runs it into wood 

 and foliage, which become injuriously luxuriant ; the consequence 

 is, there are but few seed pods, and these covered with a thin 

 harsh coat of wool. The cotton wool, like the fur of animals, is, 

 perhaps, designed for protection; and will be thick and fine in 

 proportion as the climate is warm or cool. Another reason is to 

 be found in the providence of the Deity, who aims to preserve 

 races rather than individuals, and multiplies the seeds and eyes 

 of plants, exactly as there is danger of their being destroyed by 

 the severity of the climate, or other causes. When, therefore, 

 the cares and labours of man counteract the destructive tendency 

 of the climate, and guarantee their preservation, they are, of 

 course, more available and abundant. 



The lint plants, flax, hemp, &c. are cultivated through a great 

 extent of latitude ; but their bark, in the southern climates, is 

 harsh and brittle. A warm climate forces these plants so rapidly 

 into maturity, that the lint does not acquire either consistency or 

 tenacity. We must go far north in Europe, even to the Baltic, to 

 find these plants in perfection, and their products very merchant- 

 able. Ireland is rather an exception as to latitude ; but the in- 

 fluence of the sun is so effectually counteracted there by moisture, 

 and exposure to the sea air, that it is always cool : hence, the 

 flax and potato^ arrive at such perfection in that region. 



It holds equally true in the farinaceous plants. Rice is a tro- 

 pical plant; yet Carolina and Georgia grow the finest in the 

 world ; heavier grained, better filled, and more merchantable. 



