96 ON THE USE AND OFFICES 



concluded, that although the leaves of plants, 

 may in themselves, be of little value in contri- 

 buting to the nutriment of mankind, they form 

 an essential part in their organisation, for the 

 production of seed and fruit, the quantity and 

 quality of which will be in proportion to the 

 condition, or state of health, and exposure of 

 the stalk, leaves, &c. : this may readily be de- 

 monstrated, by placing plants under the circum- 

 stances of both extremes ; thus, if the leaves of 

 a seedling plant of wheat, or a turnip, or a 

 potatoe, be removed as fast as they appear, 

 neither seeds, bulbs, or tubers, will be produced 

 in any quantity, or quality, worthy of notice ; but 

 if the leaves of such plants are preserved, and 

 allowed a space sufficient to expand their full 

 extent, and be open to the influence of the sun 

 and air, they will attain the utmost size and 

 state of prolificacy the soil, and quantity and 

 quality of food, is capable of producing. 



The capacity of a soil, and the distance plants 

 ought to be placed from each other, may rea- 

 dily be determined, by allowing a few plants a 

 larger space than they will probably occupy ; 

 and the space they then cover by their leaves, 

 may be taken as the distance required by each 

 plant, to enable it to attain perfection. 



