THE FLOWER. 205 



ing: that is to say, either in autumn when the eye is 

 closed for its long winter-night of repose ; or in spring, 

 when it is open for its summer-day of activity. 



Another mode of grafting buds is by transplanting a 

 broad ring or flute of bark, containing several eyes, and 

 substituting it in the place of a similar ring cut away from 

 the stock : this is less sure of success, on account of the 

 number of buds to be nourished. 



These several modes of propagation by layers, by slips, 

 and by grafts, are all calculated to improve the fruit ; the 

 grand source of the multiplication of plants is the seed, 

 which we shall enter upon at our next interview. 



CONVERSATION XVII. 



ON THE MULTIPLICATION OF PLANTS BY SEED. 



THE FLOWER. 



Mrs. B. We have now reached that part of our sub- 

 ject with which you thought it would have been proper 

 to have commenced the history of the seed. It will be 

 necessary to introduce it by a description of the organ? 

 whose office it is to prepare this important part of the plant 



Caroline. That is to say, the flower, which forms thf 

 principal part of the study of botanists in general, ana 

 which we have hitherto totally neglected. 



Mrs. B. If I have allowed the most beautiful part of 

 the vegetable creation to remain so long unnoticed, it was 

 in order that, when I described it, your interest might be 

 excited, not merely by the brilliancy of its colors, the el- 

 egance of its form, or the sweetness of its perfume, but 

 that, having acquired some previous knowledge of the 

 economy of vegetation, and become acquainted with the 

 essential part it performs among the works of Nature, 

 you would take a deeper and more rational interest both 

 in the blossom and the seed, and that your admiration 

 would be excited by learning, that the most beautiful part 

 of the vegetable kingdom, prepares and ushers into life, 

 that which is most useful. No child has so richly arna- 

 mented a cradle as the seed when reposing within the re- 

 cesses of the flower. 



1126. At what period may it be done! 1127. What is another 

 mode of grafting buds'? 1128. Why has Mrs. B. delayed so long 

 the description of the flower 1 



18 



