58 ROOTS, GUANO, ETC. 



maize, which grew partly singly and partly in rows, had from two to 

 five, and in some instances, as many as eight and nine heads. We 

 are further assured that they were raised in ground but partially 

 dressed, and in the midst of tall weeds ! The trials of this method in 

 Holland, made in the summer of 1834, were attended with results not 

 less astonishing : prepared wheat and rye, though sown thick, gave 

 from 50 to 60, and even 80 stalks from one grain : and a plant of bar- 

 ley bore 8 large ears. Buck wheat rose to 4 and 5 feet ; flax had 4 

 and 5 stems from one seed, and Indian corn grew from 9 to 10 feet in 

 height, with 4 to 5 heads from a single corn. The green crops were 

 equally luxuriant. 



Liebeg's Agricultural chemistry, teaches us that Ammonia is the 

 great stimulant to the growth of plants. At one of the late agricul- 

 tural meetings in London, Dr. T. C. Jackson suggested that the seeds 

 might be coated with some gummy substance, and then rolled in Guano, 

 enough of which would readily adhere, to produce all the effects as- 

 cribed to those foreign prepared seeds, the new plan being a secret. 



A mere tea-spoonful of guano applied to a newly struck rose cut- 

 ting of a few inches in length had been sufficient, the following spring, 

 to produce a bush of some six or eight feet in height. It is the re- 

 ceived opinion that the nourishment of vegetable life is derived from 

 the atmosphere. 



Guano is the product of innumerable birds on some of the Pacific 

 islands, found 50 feet deep, and is now largely exported to this coun- 

 try and Great Britain for manure. It is exciting much attention 

 among cultivators here. The effect of a small portion on some plants 

 is astonishing. Roses not more than 4 or 5 inches high when the 

 guano was applied soon ran up to 3 feet, while those cultivated in the 

 common way, in pots, have not exceeded one foot. Some geraniums 

 have produced leaves 7 feet long and 8 inches broad. Other not less 

 remarkable effects have been noticed. 



Roots. 



As soon as the stem rises to the surface and the leaves begin to 

 draw nourishment from the air, the roots cease to enlarge, but they 

 extend themselves in length, like icicles, by additions to their points. 

 They are then spongy and are called sponglets. The extreme points 

 possess the principal absorbing and conveying power : they both draw 

 up useful and convey off useless matter. They change their direction 

 and spread through the soil like cattle in a pasture in search of food, 

 but they cease to work when the seed-lobes or leaves cease to act or 

 consume. Their size and force of absorption are in proportion to the 

 required food of the plant, being most active in summer and more or 

 less torpid in autumn and winter. They still work, however, during 



