185 



lions. Sow these, and their produce will be 

 thirteen billions, eight hundred and twenty-four 

 thousand millions ; and a single crop from these 

 (which is only the third year's growth), would 

 amount to three hundred and thirty-one thou- 

 sand^ seven hundred and seventy-six billions ; 

 while the fourth year's progeny would be more 

 than sufficient to stock not only the surface of 

 the whole globe, but of all the planets in the 

 solar system, so that no other plant could possi- 

 bly grow, allowing but the space of one square 

 foot for each thistle ! 



The histories of some of our most useful and 

 profitable vegetable productions serve abundant- 

 ly to establish the fact, that it is by the sweat of 

 his brow alone that man has succeeded in bring- 

 ing them to their present state. The effects of 

 cultivation are indeed wonderful ; its acts upon 

 plants, by bringing forth the powers inherent in 

 them ; there is no cause so constantly and so 

 powerfully operating in bringing them to perfec- 

 tion, and there is none, the influence of which is 

 so multiplied, and so considerable in relieving 

 them from the curse pronounced against them 

 for our sin. Culture changes the very nature 

 and habits of plants ; not only are the organs in- 

 creased in beauty and in size, but by its agency 

 they are even altered ; plants, which in their na- 

 tural condition are biennial, are by cultivation 

 reduced to annuals, from the increased rapidity 

 with which they are hurried on, in the perform- 

 ance of their several functions. The reverse of 



