ON THE NUTRIMENT OF PLANTS. 23 



of all kinds of plants and flowers : to this, I have also added 

 some remarks on the development of the different parts of 

 plants, as the seed, the bud, the root, the leaf, and the like ; 

 which I consider essential to be known to the cultivator, and I 

 hope the subject will therefore be of some utility in this place. 

 These plants, like all the other bodies which are organized, 

 require an appropriate nutriment, for the germination of seeds, 

 and the further development of the vegetable economy. The 

 most superficial observer is aware, that plants derive their 

 principal food from the soil and atmosphere, although not in 

 equal proportions. They also require different compounds, 

 according to the nature of the soil in which they naturally 

 grow ; thus, the Cherry, Peach, and Nectarine, are found to 

 grow on a light, dry soil, while the Pear and Plum require a 

 deep loamy soil; and aquatics grow altogether in water, 

 as the Vallisnera Spiralis, Water Lily, &c ; others, as the 

 Ferns, live and flourish on the hardest rocks. 



ABT. 2. Food of Plants. 



The principal food of plants is found to be either vegetable 

 or animal substances in a decomposed state, which enter into 

 vegetables by aqueous solution, and as it were compose a new 

 vegetable in an organized state. This food is principally ab- 

 sorbed by the roots of plants ; it is also inhaled by the leaves, 

 its particles being often raised to a considerable height by the 

 winds. 



EARTHS, as Clay, Lime, Flint, and Magnesia, are also 

 absorbed by plants, in solution. Each particular variety will 

 be found to contain these earths in different proportions, ac- 

 cording to the preponderance of the soil in which they grow : 

 hence, by calcination of corn-stalks, flint is found in the ashes, 

 and is perhaps one of the finest finishers for steel. 



Plants inhaling chalky soils possess portions of lime, and, 

 by analysis, each variety will be found to contain a portion of 

 solid substance, which they most readily imbibe by aqueous 

 solution. 



