168 



articles page 26 of the first part, and pages 16, 28 and 97 of the second 

 part, I have shown that the various species of plants which occupy our 

 greenhouses, gardens, and fields, require each their peculiar aliment — they 

 having been collected from all the diversified regions, climates, and soils 

 through earth's remotest bounds ; they consequently comprise natives of 

 mountains and rocks, as well as of plains, valleys, and water courses. The 

 most essential aliment for natives of warm climates and dry soils being 

 HEAT, artificial means are used in cool seasons, and unpropitious climates 

 to produce it. Natives of temperate climates require salubrious air, hence 

 they are cultivated to the greatest perfection in our Northern States in 

 spring and autumn ; and in our Southern States in the winter; seepage 

 147 of the first part; and natives of humid climates, as also amphibious 

 plants in general, require a more than ordinary share of moisture, and 

 grow best in wet soil; but these three elements collectively constitute 

 the food of plants in general, and should be judiciously imparted to the 

 various species, in due proportions, according to circumstances. See pages 

 49, 64 and 67 of the first part, for a more concise view of this subject. I 

 have also shown that the roots of various species of plants require each 

 their peculiar aliment, which is not to be found in all descriptions of land; 

 this is demonstrated by roots of trees being frequently discovered spreading 

 beyond their ordinary bounds in quest of salutary food. 



Although it has been admitted that excessive deep planting of trees and 

 plants is injurious, and in many cases fatal to their very existence, it does 

 not follow that all annuals and biennials are injured by the same means ; 

 on the contrary, the earthing up of particular species of plants in a late 

 stage of growth is calculated to promote early maturity, which constitutes 

 the most essential art in gardening for the market ; because the earliest 

 crops are always the most profitable. It is moreover a necessary practice 

 in climates where the seasons for gardening are short — as without such 

 practice, many kinds of vegetables could not possibly be matured in due 

 season for gathering before winter. 



I would here take the opportunity of proving this last position, by 

 reminding the reader that the effects of deep planting, the Peach tree for 

 instance, is discoverable soon after the error is committed, by its fruit ripen- 

 ing prematurely, and this is often the case for a year or two prior to its 

 final decease, and should operate as a salutary lesson against planting 

 perennial plants and trees too deep. 



In conclusion of this article, which is intended as an appendage to my 

 works on gardening, I would urge gardeners and cultivators to consult the 

 operations of nature in all their rural pursuits ; and with a view to aid 

 them, I subjoin the following rules, which are farther illustrated under the 

 different heads : 



1. In transplanting fruit trees, let the collar, or that part from which 

 ^emanate the main roots, be near the surface. A medium sized tree may be 



planted an inch deeper than it was in the nursery bed ; and the largest 

 should not exceed twt) or three inches. See pages 93, 101 and 125 of the 

 third part of the present edition of the Young Gardener's Assistant. 



2. In the cultivation of sucii plants as are transplanted, or grown in hills 

 or clusters, as Indian Corn, &c.. keep the earth loose but levfl around them 

 in their early stages of growth, by frequent hoeing, ploughing, or culti- 



