346 



Death of Dr. Mease. — Premiums of Pa. Hort. Society. Vol. X. 



into elements of new leaves, butls, and 

 shoots; but this metamorphosis cannot be 

 effected without the aid of the alkalies, and 

 other mineral substances. If the soil is 

 moist, the latter are continually supplied to 

 an adequate amount, and the plant retains 

 its lively green colour; but if this supply 

 ceases from a want of moisture to dissolve 

 the mineral elements, a separation takes 

 place in the plant itself. The mineral con- 

 stituents of the juice are withdrawn from 

 the leaves already formed, and are used for 

 the formation of the young shoots; and as 

 soon as the seeds are developed, the vitality 

 of the leaves completely ceases. These 

 withered leaves contain only minute traces 

 of soluble salts, while the buds and shoots 

 are very rich in them. 



On the other hand, it has been observed, 

 that where a soil is too highly impregnated 

 with soluble saline materials, these are sepa- 

 rated upon the surface of the leaves. This 

 happens to culinary vegetables especially, 

 whose leaves become covered with a white 

 crust. In consequence of these exudations 

 the plant sickens, its organic activity de- 

 Creases, its growth is disturbed; and if this 

 state continues long, the plant dies. This 

 is most frequently seen in foliaccous plants, 

 the large surfaces of which evaporate consi- 

 derable quantities of water. Carrots, pump- 

 kins, peas, &c., are frequently thus diseased, 

 when, after dry weather, the plant being 

 near its full growth, the soil is moistened by 

 short showers, followed again by dry wea- 

 ther. The rapid evaporation carries off the 

 water absorbed by the root, and this leave 

 the salts in the plant in a far greater quan- 

 tity than it can assimilate. These salts ef- 

 floresce upon the surface of the leaves, and 

 if they are herbaceous and juicy, produce an 

 effect upon them as if they had been watered 

 with a solution containing a greater quantity 

 of salts than their organism can bear. 



Of two plants of the same species, this 

 disease befalls that which is nearest its per- 

 fection ; if one should have been planted 

 later, or be more backward in its develop- 

 ment, the same external cause which de- 

 stroys the one will contribute to the growth 

 of the other. — Liebig''s Letters. 



The Death of Dr. Mease. 



At a special meeting of the Philadelphia 

 Society for promoting Agriculture, held on 

 the 20th inst., agreeably to public notice, in 

 reference to the decease of the late Presi- 

 dent, Dr. James Mease, Vice President Ken- 

 derton Smith, in the chair: 



The object of the meeting having been 



stated by the Vice President, with appropri- 

 ate remarks on the life and character of the 

 deceased, it was on motion of William S. 

 Torr, unanimously 



Resolved, That this Society has learned 

 with deep regret the death of our venerable 

 President, Doctor James Mease, after having 

 passed through a long life devoted to science 

 and philanthropy, and whose zeal in the 

 cause of agriculture has contributed essen- 

 tially to its advancement. 



Resolved, That this Society mourns the 

 loss of so valuable a member, and deeply 

 sympathises with his afflicted family in this 

 dispensation of Divine Providence. 



Resolved, That a committee be appointed 

 to convey to his family the foregoing resolu- 

 tions. Whereupon, Wm. S. Torr, A. S. 

 Roberts, Cornelius S. Smith, and Col. Ken- 

 derton Smith, were appointed said commit- 

 tee. Extract from the minutes. 



Aaron Clement, Rec. Sec'ry. 



Philadelphia, May 21st, 184G. 



Premiums of the Pennsylvania Horti- 

 cultural Society. 



The following will be awarded at the intermediate 

 meeting on theTtliprox. The premiums for this month 

 were given in our last number. 



Carnations — For the best Flake, four 

 named varieties to be exhibited, ^2. 



For the best Bizarre, do. -$2. 



For the best Picotee, do. S2. 



For the best American seedling, $2. 



Cauliflowers — For the best, grown' in 

 the open ground without protection, four 

 heads to be exhibited, $3. 



For the next best do. 82. 



At the Stated meeting on the 2lst. 



Raspberries — For the best, two quarts to 

 be exhibited, $2. 



For the next best do. do. $1. 



Currants — For the best Red, two quarts 

 to be exhibited, $2. 



For the best White, do. do. $2. 



For the best Black, do. do. ^2. 



Gooseberries — For the best, named, one 

 quart, in a ripe state, do. $2. 



Apricots — For the best named, two dozen 

 to be exhibited, $2. 



For the next best named, do. do. SI. 



Apples — For the best named, early, half 

 a peck, do. $2. 



Who does not know, says the Genesee 

 Farmer, that when the tillers of the earth 

 prosper, all other classes participate in an 

 equal degree ■? 



