160 



Acclimation of the Fig Tree. — Smoking Lamp. Vol. XII. 



any of our care or concern for its welfare. 

 Prolific beyond our wants, we have glutted 

 domestic animals with it, and employed it 

 largely in the arts and distillery to contri- 

 bute to our luxuries. Yet there is a limit 

 to all things, and we are approaching the 

 limits of the abuse which we can unre- 

 qnitedly heap upon it. Something is wrong 

 already both in the field and in the store; 

 already it has partially failed in its germina- 

 tion during the spring; already it has be- 

 come the prey of disease in its vegetation 

 and maturation in the autumn. Nature is 

 vindicating her right to be obeyed; and 

 since we have neglected to learn from her 

 by lessons of examples which she has offer- 

 ed, she seems determined to make us wise 

 by dear-bought experience — to make us feel, 

 that we may remember. 



"The first law of nature against which 

 we transgress with regard to the potatoe, is 

 our total neglect of the due preservation of 

 our seed potatoes. If they are only good 

 for food, we never inquire whether they are 

 fit for planting. Yet were we but to reflect one 

 moment, we should soon see how unnaturally 

 we treat them. Nature, when she alone 

 takes care of them, keeps them within the 

 soil — like all other subterranean buds — du- 

 ring their season of repose; and because, in 

 the warm climates, where they are indige- 

 nous, they cannot easily bo cut off from a 

 due temperature for their germination, she 

 checks it by keeping them dry in the soil. 

 We, on the other hand, dig thorn up from 

 the ground, because we fear, and properly, 

 the effect of frost upon them ; but instead of 

 keeping them dry, we heap them up wet in 

 immense quantities on the ground, and co- 

 ver them over there, to keep them so, with 

 soil, thereby furnishing them, if they do not 

 rot, with one requisite for germination; while 

 the masses themselves raise and keep up the 

 temperature to supply them with another, so 

 that germination has not only commenced, 

 but proceeded considerably, when we dig 

 them up again for planting. Then, calcu- 

 lating upon the extraordinary degree of vi- 

 tality with which nature has endowed the 

 tubers, we pull off the sprits, cut up the po- 

 tatoes, and endeavour to reduce that vitality 

 to as low an ebb as possible before we plant 

 them. If, by the spritting of potatoes, the 

 whole of the diastase, situated just below 

 the embryo in seeds, be expended, then tliere 

 is no provision left for the conversion of fec- 

 ula into saccharine matter for the formation 

 of the first tissues of germination, and ger- 

 mination must therefore fail." 



When it is borne in mind that the cuttings, 

 weakened as described, are in most instances 

 planted in highly azotised soils, surprise at 



the general failures which have taken place 

 will be greatly lessened. The remedy con- 

 sists in storing up the potatoes intended for 

 seed in places perfectly dry and dark, and 

 instead of one large mass, in small heaps, 

 so that all tendency to generate heat may 

 be obviated. The precautions with regard 

 to the aeration of young grain crops are 

 equally to be attended to with the young 

 plants of potatoes. Without frequent stir- 

 ring of the soil while the roots are forming, 

 and complete aeration or ventilation, howevef 

 favourable other circumstances may be, pro- 

 per growth is not to be expected. The ob- 

 jects to be striven for by the agriculturist 

 and cultivator are of such importance, as to 

 reward any degree of perseverance. Impli- 

 cit obedience to natural laws never fails of 

 commanding success. Nature is not to be 

 foreed or diverted from her economy: the 

 bringing to bear a little plain practical com- 

 mon sense on her multifareous modes of ac- 

 tion, must tend to the realization of the 

 sound theoretical views of the chemist and 

 meteorologist. — Chambers^ Journal. 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 

 Acclimation of the Fig Tree. 



To the best of our recollection there has 

 not been published any account of the best 

 method of acclimating the fig tree; and this 

 is why I should like to trespass somewhat in 

 your columns. 



John Naglee, Esq., in Front street, near 

 Brown, about fifteen years ago, planted a fig 

 tree in his garden. For many years he was 

 in the habit sometime in the fall of the year, 

 of placing around the tree seventy or eighty 

 bundles of straw; this was bound round with 

 cords, so as to resemble a tall stack — the 

 straw was removed in the spring. 



During the last two winters the tree has 

 received no protection whatever. It pro- 

 duces as well as formerly, and may be con- 

 sidered as perfectly acclimated. 



B. G. BOSWELL. 



Philadelphia, Dec. nth, 1847. 



To Prevent the Smoking of a Lamp. — 



Smoke is the result of imperfect combustion. 

 Combustion is always imperfect when more 

 matter is decomposed than is consumed. 

 This is evident f^rom the fact, that smoke 

 may be collected and burned. To prevent 

 the smoking of a lamp, therefore, it is only 

 necessary to prevent the decomposition of 

 too much oil. This is done by lowering the 

 wick till the blaze terminates without smoke. 

 A little care in trimming a lamp will save 

 expense — an unnecessary waste of oil — pre- 

 vent the blackening of the ceiling, and the 

 offensive and unwholesome smell occasioned 

 by the smoke of a lamp. — Southern Planter. 



