THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 



505 



ciicumsioiicee of a similar Kind — so tliat the only 

 <'eiieral law seems to be, liial, like annuals planis 

 have also the power ol' adapiini; ihcnisi^lves, to a 

 certain extent to the ceinhlions in which they are 

 placed ; and of eupporiinfi; liti; hy the aid ol' snch 

 sustenance as may be within their reach. 



Such a view ol the course of nature in the 

 vejietable idngdoni is consistent, I believe, with 

 all known facte, Anil that ihe Deity has bounti- 

 luily fitted the various orders ol plants — with 

 whicii the surlace ol'the earth is at once beautiHcd 

 and rendered capable ol' sup|)orting animal lite — 

 to draw their nourishment, in some spots more 

 from the air, in others more from the soil, is only 

 in accordance with the numerous provisions we 

 every where perceive, lor the preservaiion and 

 continuance of the present condition ol" things. 



By taking a one-sided view of nature, we may 

 arrive at startling conclusions — correct, il' taken 

 as partial truths, yet false if advanced as general 

 propositions — and fitted to lead into earror, such 

 as have not the requisite knowledge to enable 

 ihem to judge for themselves — or such as, coubl- 

 (iil of their own judgment, arc willing to yield 

 assent to the authority of a name. 



Of this kind appears, at first sight, to be the 

 statement of Liebig, that " when a plant is quite 

 matured, and when the organs by which il ob- 

 tains (bod Horn the atmosphere are formed, the 

 carbonic acid ot the soil is no farther required"' — 

 and that, " during the heat of summer it derives 

 its carbon exclusively from the atmosphere."* 



A little consideration will show us that, while 

 the proposition contained in the former quotation 

 may be entertained and advanced as a matter oj 

 opinion — the latter is obviously incorrect. In 

 summer, when the sun shines the brightest, and 

 for the greatest number of hours, the evaporation 

 from the leaves of all plants (their insensible per- 

 spiration) is the greatestf — the largest supply of 

 water, therelore, must at this season be absorbed 

 by the roots, and transmitted upwards to the 

 leaves. But this water, belbre ii enters the roots, 

 has derived carbonic acid and other soluble sub- 

 stances from the air and from the soil, in as large 

 quantity at this period, as at any other during the 

 growth ol the plant ; and these substances it will 

 carry with it in its progress through the roots and 

 the stem. 



Are the fijnctions of Ihe root changed at this 

 stage of the plant's growth ? Do they now ab- 

 sorb pure water only, carefully separating and re- 

 fusing to admit, even such substances as are held 

 in solution? Or do the same materials wliich 

 minister to the growth of the plant in its earlier 

 stages, now pass upwards to the leaf and return 

 again in the course of circulation unchanged and 

 unemployed, to be again rejected at the roots? 

 Does all this take place in the height of summer, 

 while the plant is still rapidly increasing in size ? 

 The opinion is neither supported by facts nor con- 

 sistent with analogy. 



But such an opinion, however the words above 

 quoted may mislead some, is not intended to be 

 advanced by Liebig; for in the Ibllowing page he 

 eays, that " the power which roots possess ol 

 taking up nourishment does not cease so long as 

 nutriment is present." In summer, thererore, as 



* Organic Chemistry applied to Agriculture, p. 18. 

 1 Lindley's Theory of Horticulture, n. 49. 

 Vol. IX.-47 



well as in spring or in autunm, the plant must be 

 ever absorbing nourishment by these roots, if the 

 soil is capable of afiording it— and thus, in the 

 general vegetation of the globe, the increase ol 

 carbon in growing plants must, at every season of 

 the year, be partly derived from the vegetable 

 matter of the soil in which they grow. 



MOVEMENT OF THE PEOPLE FOR PROMOTIN(; 

 BANKING REFORM AND THE RESUMPTION 

 AND MAINTENANCE OF SPECIE PAYMENTS. 



In this number we are much gratified to pub- 

 lish the early transactions of Ihe recently lormed 

 Association for promoting Currency and Bank- 

 ing Reform. All persons who are friendly lo the 

 great objects proposed, and opposed lo the ex- 

 tension of the present and long continued pro- 

 cedure of the irresponsible banks of Virginia, and 

 esjjecially to ihe pennanent policy of an irredeema- 

 ble and depreciated paper currency, are earnestly 

 requested lo aid the efllbrts of the Association, by 

 forming other branches, and procuring siggatures 

 to petitions for the resumption and maintenance 

 of specie payments. 



ASSOCIATION FOR PROMOTING CURRENCY 

 AND BANKING REFORM. 



By order of the Executive Committee for Peters- 

 burg. 



An Association for promoting Currency and 

 Banking Reform has been organized lor the town 

 of Petersburg, and lias commenced operations 

 The Executive Committee thereof respectliilly 

 inviie the co-operation of all those who are will 

 ing to do any thing /or the great and all-import 

 ant objects of tlie association ; and lo (acilitaie 

 such co-operation, some general recommenda- 

 tions will here be submitted to the public. 



It is recommended that the Ibrmation ol' branch- 

 es of the association be (brthwith commenced in 

 every county and town ; each branch lo choose 

 its own constitution and rules, its own officers, 

 and determine its particular mode of operation ; 

 but all the branches to form one general associa- 

 tion, and to act in concert for the great common 

 object, by means of a common representative bo- 

 dy, or Central Executive Committee. 



It is also recommended that petitions be pre- 

 pared and offered (or general signature in every 

 county and town in Virginia, praying for the re- 

 sumption and maintenance of specie payments by 

 the banks. 



The form of consliluiion of the Petersburg As- 

 sociation will be copied below,, and also the Peti- 

 tion adopted to be offered (br general signature in 

 Petersburg. These, as mere forms, may facili- 

 tate similar movements elsewhere, and may be 

 altered to any extent, or wholly substituted, where- 

 ver other forms may be preferred. 



Until other branches of the Asdociaiioii are in 

 operation, and a Central Executive Committee 

 shall 'have been formed, those persons who may 

 desire to aid the cause, and lo act in concert, may 

 communicate with the Executive Committee of 

 the Peleieburg Association. 



