50 WATERING, [CHAP. m. 



the same side turned towards the sun ; and this 

 is sometimes done with young; trees from a 

 nursery. The reason is, that the tree having 

 generally the largest branches, and being always 

 most flourishing, on the side exposed to the 

 sun, it is thought that its vegetation might be 

 checked, were a different side presented to tha 4 

 luminary, by the efforts it must make to accom- 

 modate itself to its new situation. On the other 

 hand, however, it may be urged that changing 

 the position of the plant, particularly while it is 

 young, will be beneficial in preventing it from 

 taking any particular bent, and in promoting 

 the equal distribution of sap through all the 

 branches. 



Watering is a most essential part of culture. 

 It has been already fully explained that the 

 seed rannot vegetate, and the plant cannot 

 grow, without water. In fact, water itself 

 form? 1 an important article in the food of plants, 

 as it affords them a great part of the oxygen 

 and hydrogen which they contain. Most of 

 'he solid substances that form the food of 

 plants must also be dissolved in water to enable 

 the spongioles to take them up; and the spon- 

 gioles themselves, unless they are kept moist, 

 will soon lose their power of absorption. No- 

 thing, indeed, can be more evident, even to a 

 common observer, than the necessity that plants 

 feel for water ; if a mimulus or a pelargonium 

 in a pot, for example, hangs its head and droops 

 its leaves, what an extraordinary and rapid effect 

 is produced by giving it water ! In an almost 

 incredibly short time its leaves become firm, 

 and its stem erect ; and the plant is not only 



