THE EEASON WHY 291 



" It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth 



branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly 



vine." EZEKIEL xvn. 



objects, and serve to illustrate the wonderful structure of plants. With patience 

 and care, they maybe produced by any person, and will afford an interesting 

 occupation. The leaves should be gathered when they are in perfection that 

 is, when some of the earliest leaves begin to fall from the trees. Select perfect 

 leaves, taking care that they are not broken, or injured by insects. Lay them 

 in pans of rain water, and expose them to the air to undergo decomposition. 

 Renew the water from time to time, taking care not to damage the leaves. They 

 imed not be examined more than once a week, and then only to see that the 

 water is sufficient to cover them. Give them sufficient time for their soft parts 

 to become decomposed, then take them out, and laying them on a white plate 

 M ith a little water, wash away carefully, with a camel-hair pencil, the green 

 matter that clings to the fibres. The chief requirement is patience on the part 

 of the operator, to allow the leaves and seed vessels sufficient time to decompose. 

 Some leaves will take a few weeks, and others a few months, but a large panful 

 may be put to decompose at the same time, and there will always be some 

 ready lor the process of cleansing. When they are thorougly cleaned, they 

 should be bleached, by steeping fora short time in a weak solution of chloride of 

 lime. They should then be dried, and either pressed flat, or arranged in boquets 

 for preservation under glass shades. The result will amply reward the perse- 

 v erauce of the operator. 



1160. Why are clayey soils unfavourable to vegetation ? 



Because the soil is too close and adhesive to allow of the free 

 passage of air or water to the roots of the plants ; it also obstructs 

 the expansion of the fibres of the roots. 



1161. Why are sandy soils unfavourable to vegetation ? 



Because they consist of particles that have too little adhesion 

 to each other ; they do not retain sufficient moisture for the 

 nourishment of the plants ; and they allow too much solar heat 

 to pass to the roots. 



1162. Why are chalk soils unfavourable to vegetation ? 



Because they do not absorb the solar rays, and are therefore 

 cold to the roots of plants. 



1163. Why are mixed soils favourable to vegetation ? 



Because they contain the elements of nutrition essential to the 

 development of the vegetables, and the plants absorb from them 

 those constituents which are necessary to their growth. 



1164. Why do farmers sow different crops in rotation ? 

 Because every plant takes something from the soil, and *ivcs 



