42 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



is prepared, and no manure can be taken up by the roots unless 

 first reduced to a soluble state through the agency of water 

 which is the great solvent in the vegetable kingdom. Plants 

 possess the power of decomposing water, and retaining its fer- 

 tilizing properties ; they also possess the power of selecting and 

 dissolving substances in the soil, and assimilating them for food. 



M. P. Wilder says : " Every blade of grass, every leaf that 

 flutters in the breeze, and every germ, is an organized and liv- 

 ing body. Every plant and vegetable is as capable as the human 

 system of imbibing and digesting its appropriate food. Every- 

 thing endowed with vegetable life requires its own peculiar food 

 to sustain its vigor and promote its growth, whether derived 

 from earth, air or water." 



The circulation of the vital fluids of the growing plant has 

 been shown in our reasoning, and is being discussed by some of 

 our learned chemists. Prof. Johnson has lately published a 

 work of much merit on " How Crops Grow," in which he dis- 

 cusses this subject at great length. Much good must result 

 from his reasoning, as it will serve to stimulate inquiry upon 

 this very interesting subject. The theory of the circulation of 

 the blood, by Harvey, was received with many doubts at first, 

 and so will this theory be attended with some difficulties ; it is 

 the fate of all truths and discoveries which are new. But I 

 feel assured that Harvey's principle will be found running 

 through all nature, as she acts by general laws, which are uni- 

 versal and invariable. The perfect pulverization of the soil lies 

 at the foundation of all true success, either in horticulture or 

 agriculture. It has been fully demonstrated that the more per- 

 fectly divided or pulverized the soil becomes, the more readily 

 will be dissolved its elements of vegetable growth, and dissem- 

 inated throughout the organism of the plant. It is with refer- 

 ence to these facts that the importance of draining is seen, by 

 which the surplus water is not only taken away, but there is 

 also given the plant the benefit of the sun and air, which are as 

 important to the healthy development of the plant as they are 

 to the health and liappiuess of man. The vegetable differs from 

 the animal in this, that while the animal can move about and 

 select its food, the vegetable is stationary ; and if the soil in 

 whicii it is planted is not in possession of the elements necessary 

 for its growth, they must be supplied by artificial means, or the 



