VOL. XIV. SO. »'*. 



AND G A R D E N E II ' S .T O U R N A I. . 



219 



brunclios down to the oiirtli ovciv iiutiimn ami 

 cover tlicpi with a lliiu layt-r of soil: in this way 

 Ihi- tiir, thoiiifli 11 leiulcr tree, can ho c-ullivatcd to 

 a great extent in the northern districts. 



We strongly sns|)eet after all that has been said 

 of |irotectioii externally against the inlliienee of 

 cold, that the evil efVects which plants sillier, arise 

 not so much from the congelation of the exposed 

 paits of vegetables, as the rapid and hasty thawing 

 to which they are often exposed in this climate 

 by the sudden influence of the sun after continued 

 cold. Who lias not witnessed some tender tree 

 on the north side of a wall, some few herbaceous 

 plants in the shade of a hedge or fence, or even 

 the grass in the northern exposure, preserving 

 their greenness and vitality through the chilly 

 season of winter, when their equally tender neigh- 

 bors exposed to the sun, have suffered severely, 

 and even perished entirely ? The cause of all 

 this is, probably, that the sudden glancing of the 

 warm sun upon the frozim branches, leaves, or 

 roots of the tender vegetable, causes a sudden dila- 

 tion in the crystals of ice that are formed in those 

 parts, which, consequently, in their expansion dis- 

 tend and rupture the spiral vessels, and other 

 parts filled with semi-fluid matter, and destroys 

 those*organs of the plant necessary to its vitality ; 

 in short something takes place analagous in its 

 effects, to the bursting of the blood-vessels in the 

 animal system. This is very striking in the split- 

 ting of the stems of large trees that oceasiqoally 

 hai)pens in colil climates, and is often attaoded 

 with a loud noise. 



In all northern countries where the earth re- 

 ceives an annual coating of snow, the husband- 

 man is well aware how beneficial to his fields is 

 this protecting mantle of nature — so much so 

 that in this country it is a common saying among 

 fanners, that a covering of snow is equal in its 

 beneficial effects to a coat of manure. The ben 

 efits in many cases are not exaggerated, for the 

 snow not only prevents the loss of the internal 

 heat of the earth by radiation and thus protects 

 vegetation upon its surface, but it has also a pow- 

 erful influence in shielding the exposed parts of 

 plants from the alternations of freezing and thaw- 

 ing, and the injury they would receive from the 

 sudden action of the sun when in a frozen state. 

 The residts are not less beneficial upon a smaller 

 scale to the horticulturist, while it affords him 

 also a liint of the efficacy of slight coverings over 

 plants near the surface of the earth, as in this 

 manner many of the herbaceous and stemless 

 plants of the south may he preserved in security 

 during our winters.* We should not forget to 

 mention in this brief essay, the idea first put in 

 practice we think by the enliglitened M. Soulange 

 Bodin, of the Horticultural Institute near Paris, 

 of attempting naturalizations by grafting partially 

 lender species of plants, upon hardy s|)ecies of the 

 game or a kindred genus, able to withstand the 

 effects of cold.f The success of his experiments 

 at the time the results were made known was 

 flattering. His method was to graft upon large 

 robust stocks, at some consideiable distance from 

 the ground, availing himself thereby of the pro- 

 tecting properties of the stock, and of the power 

 •which he conceived it to possess of maintaining 



iici lciii|icr«lui-o, by ihi.' cdiunuiiiicaliuu which it^ 

 deep roots bad with the warmer soil. We beli<!ve 

 this mode of naturalization might be very effectual 

 south of the Potomac, where the soil is never 

 very deeply frozen, in acclimating trees and shrubs 

 of still warmer climates, and we recommend it 

 to the article of the horticultm-ist in all cases 

 where practicable in this region.* 



It is proper to remark here, that jiersous about 

 to makeexperiments in naturalizing plants, sboidd 

 when they choose a locality endeavor to avoid all 

 low valleys, especially if abounding with springs 

 or streams of water, as the most unfavorable of 

 all situations for the attainment of the object in 

 view, on accoimt of their being more subject to 

 early and late frosts in autumn and spring, and to 

 intense congelation in the depths of winter. Ex- 

 tensive slopes, however, by the sides of large rivers 

 and other bodies of water, are excellent sites for 

 the purpose. Some of our large inland lakes, 

 those immense bodies of water which are riu-ely 

 frozen over, have an astonishing influence in ame- 

 liorating the severity of the winters in their neigh- 

 borhoods, and many tender trees and plants might 

 be naturalized in their vicinity, and thus become 

 adapted through their progeny to much colder 

 situations. 



Such are the principal facts already i known, 

 which should claim the atten:ion of all|persons 

 whom pleasure or interest may induce to attempt 

 the naturalization of plants m this country. Al 

 though it is a practice which 'has liitherto pro- 

 ceeded nearly at random, and has been rather the 

 amusement of the amateur cultivator, than an 

 object of careful attention, we are persuaded that 

 with a i)ortion of the assiduity directed toward it 

 that the other branches of horticultural science 

 have received, it may become the means not only 

 of a great increase of gratification to the horticul- 

 turist, in the acquisition which the garden will 

 receive of beautiful and valuable flowering trees, 

 shrubs and vegetables, but also that it may to a 

 certain degree be productive of very considerable 

 advantages to the agriculture of our country. — 

 The United States embrace almost every desirable 

 variety of climate, and we believe that in time the 

 greater majority of usefid and beautiful produc- 

 tions of the vegetable kingdom, may be success- 

 fully produced in our own territory. We confi- 

 dently anticipate the period when the vine and the 

 silk culture shall be carried to maturity in the ex- 

 treme northern portions of our country, asthe olive, 

 the cocoa, palm, the plantain and bananna, the co- 

 chineal-cactus, and even the tea plant, will in time, 

 undoubtedly, flourish in perfection in the southern 

 portions of it. With so extensive a range' of cli- 

 mates, the field for experiments is equally exten- 

 sive, — varieties of the difl'erent productions may 

 be originated, suitable for numerous localities ami 

 latitudes ; and soils and situations may be chosen, 

 best adapted to the naturalization and cultivation 

 of the different plants. Nature has already fur- 

 nished us with the most extensive variety of 

 vegetation, to be found in any temperate region, 

 and it is only necessary for art to second her 

 intentions and our country may boast of all that 

 is most delightful and gratifying to man among 

 the jiroducts of the soil. 



In ihi: uu.ia liuii; w.: look to our horticihtura! 

 aiul agricultural societies, composed as they are 

 of the learned, scientific and |)ractical portion of 

 the coiiimunily who are devoted to these subji-cts, 

 for the increase and dissemination of information 

 relating to them, — for the report of such experi- 

 ments and facts as have already been made and 

 ascertained, and the encomagement of new and 

 more extensive trials and experiments in the dif- 

 ferent sections, soils and climates of our fertile 

 ami highly diversillcil country. 



A. J. DOWNI.NG. 



Botanic Garden and Nursery, ) 

 Nowburgli, N. Y., Dec. 10th, 1835. 5 



* A great number of the beautiful varieties of China 

 Rosps, Carnations, &c. may be preserved in this way 

 by slight coverings of straw, even in the cold climate of 

 Canada. 



t Annales de Fromont, tome iv. p. 309. 



We observe the Messrs Prince and Sons advertise 



[Cttract from Gov. Duiilnii's Inniigunil Address, Janiiary, 1630. 



agricvltvre: in maine;. 



Agriculture lies at the foundation of all national 

 wealth and strength — it is the parent of manu- 

 factures, the nurse of commerce, and the staff 

 upon which all the arts and sciences lean for sup- 

 port. To encourage this necessary and advanta- 

 geous pursuit of the citizen, by every provision 

 calcidated to elevate its character and extend its 

 influence, is the obvious duty of the legislator and 

 patriot at all times, and in every government. In 

 our own Stale particularly, where so vast an ex- 

 tent of territory, well adapted to the purposes of 

 the husbandman, lies unoccujiievl and unimproved, 

 much may be done towards the increase of agri- 

 cultural resources, by a liberal poiicy in legisla- 

 tion. 'J'o the actual settler,, every facility which 

 does not involve a positive ospense to the public 

 Treasury, ought to be extended. An abundant 

 recompense for it will be found in the acquisition 

 which it will secure to the population, and con- 

 sequently to the aggregate wealth of the State. 



An enlargement of the existing number of Ag- 

 riculturists within a State, is also the most effec- 

 tual method of preparing in time of peace for the 

 exigencies of a state of war, a principle which 

 enters into the policy of every prudent administra- 

 tion of Government. In all ages, and in all 

 countries in which civilization has made any pro- 

 gress, men identified with the soil, and having an 

 actual interest in its riches and its resources, have 

 invariably been found among the ablest in its 

 defence. Various considerations combine to 

 awaken in them a fervor of patriotism, and to 

 induce a sincerity of purpose, which do not ope- 

 rate upon citizens, whose attachment to the soil 

 is founded only in accidental or transitory cir- 

 cumstances. 



Believing this subject to be of great ai'd increa- 

 sing importance to the prosperity of our State, it 

 will give me pleasure, gentlemen, to co-opei-ate 

 with you in any course of measures which your 

 wisdom may devise for its direct encouragement, 

 and 1 cannot forbear to invite the exercise of the 

 utmost liberality on your part, that may be thought 

 consistent with your power as legislators. 



A foundation may be laid for great increase of 

 wealth in our State, by disseminating practical 

 information upon the subject of cultivating the 

 mulberry tree and the raising of silkworms for 

 the manufacture of silk. It cannot be doubted, 

 that for these purposes, numerous advantages are 

 ]iossessed by our citizens. And in view of what 

 is doing in other States of the Union in this im- 

 portant and growing branch of manufactures, it 

 nuist be worthy of your consideration, whether 



trees of the iVloius Multicaulis grafted upon the White , , i,,;^ munificence though exercised upon 



Mulberrv which they state to be hardier than it upon ".,,..,, • i 



muioerry, wnioii mey | a comparatively limited scale, an imiuilse may not 



their own roots. 



