66 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



CHAPTER V. 



Eeproduction in wild and cultivated Plants. Vitality of Seeds dependent 

 on certain conditions. 



REPRODUCTION. 



No clearer statement can be made of the general objects of 

 the vast vegetable growth covering and beautifying our earth 

 than that furnished by the pen of inspiration, "He causeth 

 grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man, 

 that he may bring forth fruit out of the earth." But in rela- 

 tion to each separate species or variety of plant, an inherent 

 tendency or disposition to reproduction is its special and most 

 marked peculiarity, as if simple self-perpetuation and multipli- 

 cation in its offspring were the sole ends of its existence, 

 though it is also apparent that through this tendency or dis- 

 position the general and ultimate objects proposed are effectu- 

 ally and directly reached. 



It is interesting also to observe that this tendency or dispo- 

 sition to reproduction is in general put forth freely only in a 

 single channel ; it may be by offshoots or by seeds, but com- 

 monly, if freely by seeds, then not largely by offshoots ; and if 

 by offshoots, whether naturally or as a result of cultivation, 

 then not freely by seeds. 



This latter result is not uniformly accompanied by a destruc- 

 tion or disappearance of those organs of the plant which are 

 necessary to the production of seed, for a few seeds are often 

 produced ; but, if the expression may be allowed, it seems to 

 arise from a change in the direction of the virile force. 



Striking illustrations of this are found in those varieties of 

 onion which are. cultivated chiefly for their offsets, and in the 

 giant seedless pie-plant ; and among flowers, by the tiger lily 

 (lilium tigrinum), in which, although the floral organs of repro- 

 duction are full and prominent, yet no seed is yielded by them, 

 the plant being increased moderately by offshoots or dividings 



