ACCLIMATION OF PLANTS. 



ACCLIMATION OF PLANTS. 



hardy than those of single varieties of the 

 same species ; varieties of white flowers, which 

 are generally less hardy than red or yellow 

 varieties ; and the varieties of the oleander, 

 with double rose-red flowers, and with single 

 white flowers, are often killed by the frost, 

 while the common oleander, with single rose- 

 red flowers, may stand the winter. 



It is, however, those species produced by 

 culture, and chiefly by hybridizing, which are 

 of a more hardy nature than the wild species. 

 Now we conceive that the choice of these va- 

 rieties affords the means of introducing certain 

 sorts into climates where the original species 

 could not have succeeded. This effect is 

 most apparent in such varieties as have under- 

 gone some change in the season of vegetation : 

 thus the late variety of the walnut tree, which 

 we call St. John's walnut, will thrive in those 

 localities where the frosts are felt late in the 

 spring, and where the common walnut tree is 

 soon killed by the cold. Thus the very early 

 varieties of the vine will bear fruit in certain 

 climates, where either from there being little 

 heat, or from the rapid approach of autumnal 

 frosts, other varieties would not succeed. 



There exists, in many species of plants, the 

 remarkable phenomenon of certain individuals 

 being more early or more late than others, with- 

 out our being able to attribute the circum- 

 stance to the influence of locality ; while, at 

 the same time, we cannot perceive any sen- 

 sible difference in the organization. Now, by 

 carefully collecting the seeds, or the layers, or 

 the tubercles, or grafts, of such early and late 

 varieties, we obtain artificially such agricul- 

 tural sorts or varieties as present certain use- 

 ful qualities, and such, in particular, as will 

 thrive in climates where the original species 

 would not succeed. For example, by gather- 

 ing the tubers of such potatoes as ripen first, 

 and by repeating the same, many times in suc- 

 cession, we may by this means obtain a va- 

 riety which will ripen in three months. To 

 us, such a variety is of no more advantage 

 than in giving us an early vegetable ; but if 

 cultivated in climates farther north, it might 

 introduce the useful culture of the potato in 

 places where this was previously unknown. 

 Attentive observation of such species and va- 

 rieties may furnish means of advancing the 

 culture of certain vegetables beyond their ordi- 

 nary limits. For example, if the varieties of 

 the olive brought from the Crimea, which ap- 

 pear less affected with cold than European 

 varieties, should come to be introduced on the 

 shores of the Mediterranean ; or if they should 

 propagate extensively the variety calledCaillou 

 in Provence, we might be led to conclude that 

 the olive is accustomed to a greater degree of 

 cold, although there might only be the substi- 

 tution of a hardier sort for a more delicate 

 one. 



In fine, although we are not authorized to 

 observe that the vegetable tissue cannot, by 

 the JWFects of habit, accustom itself to a differ- 

 rature than that of its native climate ; 

 and although we are disposed to recognise, in ' 

 many cases, this influence of habit, yet the 

 preceding facts seem to lead to the following ! 

 inferences : 1. That if certain species of vege- 

 20 



| tables are susceptible of being acclimated, this 

 ' occurs within very narrow limits ; and we fre- 

 quently exaggerate these limits by confounding 

 acclimation with naturalization. 2. That the 

 cases in which acclimation appears to take 

 place in reality, chiefly, if not exclusively, 

 comprise species where there is a formation 

 of new varieties, or where we have managed 

 to change the season of the vegetation of 

 plants, as arising from periodicity. 3. That 

 practical results, almost as important as those 

 of acclimation, more properly so called, are 

 obtained by ably following up certain pro- 

 cesses of culture. (Miller's Dictionary.') 



[A sensible and eloquent writer in the 

 American Journal of Geology, has, in a paper 

 upon the " Acclimating Principle of Plants," 

 treated the subject in a highly interesting 

 manner, and illustrated it by referring to many 

 instances where plants have actually adapted 

 their growth and habits to a great extent of 

 country, and diversity of latitude. His views, 

 it will be seen, are not in exact accordance 

 with those contained in the preceding article 

 upon a similar topic. They are, however, cal- 

 culated to be particularly interesting in the 

 meridian of the United States. 



"Plants," observes the writer referred to, 

 " have directly no locomotive powers, but indi- 

 rectly, they have in a great degree the faculty 

 of changing their places, and, consequently, 

 their climate. The embryo germ wrapped in 

 a kernel, or seed, is virtually a plant, ready to 

 germinate when thrown upon its parent earth, 

 and affected with heat and moisture. It is in 

 a most portable shape, and can be transported 

 with ease to an unlimited distance. Nature in 

 many instances superadds to seeds, wings, 

 down, feathers, and chaff, by which they be- 

 come buoyant, and are carried by the winds 

 of heaven, by the storms that sweep the forest, 

 and by the streams, and currents of rivers, and 

 the ocean, to an immense distance, and 

 through many degrees of latitude ! They be- 

 come finally deposited in some genial soil, and 

 at one remove, or through a succession, they 

 occupy extensive regions. Nature manifests 

 her great care of the embryo, by coating some 

 of her seeds with shells, which protect them 

 from the attacks of insects, and the action of 

 the elements ; others have bitter, narcotic, or 

 poisonous qualities, which forbid animals eat- 

 ing them ; and many are filled with oily, or 

 resinous matter, which resists, for ages, and 

 even centuries, the action of the elements, un- 

 less acted upon by the proper degree of heat 

 and moisture. By such qualities they endure, 

 and await a suitable time and conveyance to 

 their destined place, in order to extend and 

 vary their families. 



Birds also convey the seeds of plants in 

 their crops over a wide extent, before they be- 

 come triturated and digested ; and when these 

 winged carriers die, or decay, from accident 

 or age, the seeds are deposited, and take root 

 in some distant land. Animals also convey 

 them in their stomachs to a considerable dis- 

 tance, and pass them uninjured by the powers 

 of digestion. 



Man, more provident than all, to whom 

 plants are necessary, whose support, whose 



