460 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. [Jn.y. 



motion, then almost all of them would be in movement at once: 

 the whole plant was very seldom agitated, and that only during the 

 first year. It continued to move in the stove during the second 

 year of its growth, and was not at rest even in winter." 



It is difficult to account for this motion, which does not seem to 

 depend on any external cause, and which we are not able to excite by 

 any art. It is not the action of the sun's rays, for this plant is fond 

 of shade, and the leaves revolve, on rainy days as well as during 

 the night: exposed to too much wind or sun, it is quiet. "Per- 

 haps/' says Linnffius, "there may be some part in vegetables, as in 

 animals, where the cause of motion resides." 



This plant is a native of Bengal, near the Ganges, and is called 

 there Chundali borrun. It grows luxuriantly in the gardens in 

 Jamaica, and is easily propagated by sowing the seed in March, 

 and forwarding it in a due temperature of heat. 



Dr. Darwin says, "its leaves are continually in spontaneous mo- 

 tion, some rising and others falling, and others whirling circularly 

 by twisting their stems; this spontaneous movement of the leaves 

 when the air is quite still and very warm, seems to be necessary to 

 the plant, as perpetual respiration is to animal life." 



®UQXt8t. 



WORK TO BE DONE IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Savoys, Colcworts, and Borecole. 



In the first week of this month finish planting your savoys; they 

 will not, at this season, require a greater distance than two feet 

 every way. This plantation will be tolerably well cabbaged in 

 November, and may, with a little care, be preserved in fine condi- 

 tion all winter. 



The early York, Battersea and sugar-loaf plants, arising from 

 seed sown last month, should now be planted out for autumn cole- 

 worts, they will yet form nice heads; and some more of the same 

 kinds should be sown in the first week of this month, from which 

 you will have delicious hearts late in October, &c. In the southern 

 states, where the plants can stand out all winter, this will be a very 

 useful practice. Plant also your last crop of borecole. 



Spinagc. 

 Now prepare some ground and sow a good crop of spinage; that 



