268 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



June 



could not reconcile it with the fact, that, although 

 encamped amid deep grover., and all covered with 

 green leaves, we enjoyed the most perfect health. 

 Modern researches have corrected this erroneous 

 theory, and it is now known that the sum total of 

 the action of a plant in confined air, is to remove its 

 carbonic acid, and to replace it by pure oxygen. 

 Hence, the fears of some persons, of injurious ef- 

 fects coming from the growth of plants in a sleep- 

 ing-room, are unfoimded. 



In the absence of sunlight the leaves of plants 

 droop, and they are said to sleep in the night. It 

 is true they do not elaborate the sap, as they do 

 under the influence of sunlight, but the circulation 

 of the sap goes on still, both by night and by day. 

 In the green-house, the lower temperature of night 

 should be imitated by reducing the heat of the fur- 

 naces, and it is well to bring the temperature down 

 to 60° or 60° F., while in the daytime it may be 

 carried to 80° ; and perhaps, if moisture is abun- 

 dant, still higher. Heat undoul)tedly hastens the 

 circulation of the sap, while the sunlight causes the 

 leaves to elaborate it. When there is no sunlight 

 there is less necessity of heat. 



When a plant has formed its fruit, it ripens it 

 and the wood, and at length begins to form its 

 buds, the foliage dropping from the stalks. When 

 these processes are completed the work is all done, 

 and if cold comes on, the vine takes its winter's 

 rest. Or the grape-grower, like Mr. Simpson, sub- 

 stitutes a tropical dry season for a ^vinter, and puts 

 his vines to rest in midsummer. He has lately be- 

 come more daring in his theories, and questions 

 the necessity of any season of rest to the vine after 

 it has made preparations for a new growth by per- 

 fecting its wood and preparing its buds, and thinks 

 the vines may, by proper treatment, be al once set 

 at work again. This theory, however, requires a 

 practical verification before it should be adopted, 

 for there may be processes necessary to the health 

 of the nne which take jilace in its glandular appa- 

 ratus during the period of repose. The experiment 

 is one worthy of a careful trial, but it will require 

 several years' time to test it. It may turn out that 

 the ])eriod of rest is merely one of fallowing of the 

 soil about the roots of the vine. If this is the case, 

 and the plant itself needs no more rest, then it 

 will be easy to apply the matters required in the 

 soil, so as to have all ready in a moment, that four 

 or five months' fallowing would produce. It would 

 be practicable then to have grapes ripening every 

 month in the year, without a very great number of 

 vines. Green-house culture is destined to become 

 more than a mere expensive luxury. Window 

 glass can now be produced as cheap as shingles, 

 and iron sashes may be made at a low cost, so that 

 good and permanent green-houses may be con- 

 structed, in which the most desirable vegetables 

 and fruits may be grown in winter as well as in 

 summer, and to an extent far beyond that which 

 has thus far been attained. 



By having a number of green-houses connected, 

 it is possible to economize the heat of the fires, by 

 passing the heated air from one room into the oth- 

 er, and employing graduated temperatures in them 

 all ; and by having a sufficient number of rooms, 

 to raise large crops, the constant employment of 

 several gardeners and laborers in their manage- 

 ment could be afforded. 



There is room for improvement in the construc- 

 tion of green-houses, and in rendering them less 



liable to the accidents of 

 bably improvements may 

 ments, and in heating the 

 er, are questions to be 

 gardeners, rather than by 

 ogist. C. 



State Assater. 

 Boston, May 1, 1856. 



frost in winter, and pro- 

 be made in the embank- 

 borders. These, howev- 

 considered by practical 

 the chemist and physiol- 

 T. Jackson, M. D., 



, &o., 32 Somerset Sxeeet. 



For the New England Farmer. 



THE FARMEH'S LIFE. 



BY H. D. vrniTE. 

 I love the farmer's quiet life — 

 His peaceful home devoid of strife, 



With sweet contentment blessed ; 

 I love the virtues of his heart, 

 Which peace, and joy, and love, impart 



Around his humble rest. 



I love the scenes of social mirth, 



That brighten round his evening hearth, 



With joy unmixed, replete ; 

 Where friendship's smile, and love's sly leer. 

 Are seen through joj^'s transparent tear, 



And TRUE friends only meet. 



I love the labor and the toil. 



That clothe with beauty Freedom's soil, 



Where despot never trod ! 

 And where each task, from turmoil free, 

 Great God, is sanctified by Thee, « 



And consecrates the sod. 



I love the bloomy hills and dales — 

 Their healthful winds and odorous gales, 



Untainted by disease ; 

 I love the tales and legends old. 

 By White-haired sires at twilight told, 



'Mid scenes of shadowy ease. 



I love whate'er the seasons bring, — 



The flowers thai blush— the birds that sing, 



Eve's low jEolean breeze, — 

 The vernal smiles — the Summer's charms — 

 The Autumn's fruits — the Winter's storms — 

 All charm in their degrees. 

 JFindliam., Me., 1856. 



For the New England Fanner. 



PLASTER OF PARIS. 



Sir : — I am aware that gypsum or plaster of 

 paris is extensively used by farmers throughout the 

 United States, and in Great Britain. Our island 

 abounds with it, in almost every creek and harbor, 

 and yet none of our farmers use it in any shape i 

 probably, they do not know its value, or how to ap- 

 ply it to the soil. Will you or some of your corres- 

 pondents be kind enough to furnish the following 

 information respecting its use and application ? 



1 St. Is it generally used in its raw state, or burnt 

 into lime ? 



2d. What kind of soil would be most benefited 

 by its application ? 



3d. Is it mixed with compost and plowed in as 

 a fertilizer ? 



4th. What is the best lime to apjjly it to the soil 

 for grass ? 



5th. What is the average cost of the mills used 

 for grinding it? A Subscriber. 



JVorth Sydney, Cape Breton, April 12, 1856. 



P. S. Some plaster is white, and some light blue : 

 the latter is the hardest, which is the best ? 



