HABITS OF PLANTS. 203 



to be considered ; althongli the soil and the quantity of moisture 

 should be rendered as similar as possible to those of its native 

 habitation. Plaiit^s from warm climates are gradually accus- 

 tomed to a lower temperature by placing them in hot-houses, 

 then in green-houses, and lastly, in the open air. Plants vary 

 in their susceptibility of naturalization. The horse-cliestnut^ 

 which is now common in the Middle and ISTorthern United 

 States, was originally brought from the tropical regions. In 

 these regions, however, it usually grows in grounds somewhat 

 above the level of the sea, and therefore its habit, as to tem- 

 perature, renders it in some degree fitted for more northern 

 countries. Orange and lemon trees cannot be brought to bear 

 the roughness of our climate without some protection. In many 

 Q,'i\&(^'$>^])eTeiinial ])lants by this change of climate are converted 

 into annual ones ; as if fearing the inclemencies of a cold win- 

 ter, they pass through their successive stages of existence with 

 rapidity, and accomplish in one summer what they had been ac- 

 customed to require years to perform. The nasturtion was ori- 

 ginally a perennial shrub, flourishing without cultivation on the 

 banks of the Peruvian streams ; yet, transferred to this country, 

 it is an annual herbaceous plant, which completes its term of 

 existence in a few months. 



311. The acclimating of some plants is with difSculty accom- 

 plished ; others change their habits more readily, as Indian 

 corn^ which, aided by climate and culture, suffers a remarkable 

 change. After having been for several years raised in Canada, 

 it arrives to perfection in a few weeks, and on that account is 

 employed in New England for early corn ; but that which has 

 been for years cultivated in Yirginia will not ripen in a Xew 

 England summer ; yet originally, the early corn of Canada and 

 tha't of Yirginia were the "same, both in habit and other proper- 

 ties. AVhile merely ornamental or curious plants can with diffi- 

 culty be made to vegetate freely in foreign situations, the vege- 

 tables most useful to man are disseminated and cultivated. The 

 delicate exotic flowers often disappoint our expectations ; but 

 the wheat, the potato, and corn, which are also exotics, seldom 

 withhold their fruits from the labor of the husbandman. Thus 

 should earthly parents, imitating their "Father in heaven," 

 first provide their children witli what is useful both for body 

 and mind, leaving the ornamental to be bestowed or not, as 

 circumstances may render proper. 



312. Agents which affect the Groioth of Plants.— Oi the vari- 

 ous substances by which vegetables are nourished, tcater seems 

 the most important. Some plants grow and mature with their 

 roots immersed in water, without any soil ; most of the marine 



Plants, as to naturalization.— 311. In«li;in-corn— Useful vegetables easily cultivated.— 312. AgenU 

 that affect the growth of plants— Water. 



