175 



call the common error, and that it had been admired as the most flourish- 

 ing and fruitful orchard in the neighbourhood ; and that he had recently 

 seen a field of Iudian corn, which yielded more than one hundred bushels 

 of shelled grain to the acre, in which an excess of the error had been 

 avoided, while the success was attributed to quite a different cause." 



From the preceding extracts, it is evident thaUhis inestimable treasure 

 lays near the surface ; and from the disclosure having been communicated 

 to rational and intelligent minds, it is preposterous to expect that those 

 gentlemen can, in the pursuit of their rural avocations, act directly con- 

 trary to knowledge and sound judgment; they must, therefore, necessa- 

 rily and unavoidably communicate the secret by their example, which 

 will eventually disseminate, in proportion as mankind take an interest 

 in the merits of the alleged discovery. 



But lest the full benefits of this invaluable remedy should be withheld 

 from the ( ommunity for want of the action of the United States Congress, 

 I have submitted an exposition of my vieidS of the particular points 

 adverted to in the preamble, which may be fouud under the heads, Necta- 

 rine, Peach, and Plum, pages 311, 319 and 337, of the eighth edition of 

 the Young Gardener's Assistant; and I would furthermore remind my 

 readers that the directions heretofore given in this and previous editions 

 of the works are in strict accordance with the same doctrine ; and that 

 although the error alluded to is admitted to have been very generally 

 committed, I am not aware that any writer has ever taught or encouraged 

 the error, either director indirect; I confess, however, that I have been 

 induced to expatiate on this malpractice in horticulture, from the subject 

 having elicited the grave consideration of enlightened legislators of these 

 United States. 



And lest these my voluntary disclosures should prove to have no 

 bearing on the alleged discovery, I would prepare the public mind for its 

 reception by an exhortation to tkmpf.rance and moderation, as the 

 only safe course that can be considered applicable to the cultivation of 

 all the varied species of plants, which comprise '• the whole vegetable 

 kingdom/' In articles, pages 19. 134, 146 and 217, I have shown that 

 the various species of plants which occupy our greenhouses, gardens, 

 and fields, require each their peculiar aliment — they having been col- 

 lected 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 essen- 

 tial 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 aih, hence 

 they are cultivated to the greatest perfe*. ion in our Northern States in 

 Spring and Autumn ; and in our Southern States in the Winter; see page 

 355, 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 lements 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 41, 54, 57 and 

 858, 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 



