OX THE NUTRIMENT OF PLANTS. t5 



the most delicate parts, as the flower, or young fruit, being 

 first affected, generally perishes : the next is the tender leaves 

 and branches, and so in succession ; but in some cases, as 

 tender annuals, foul internal air destroys the plant in its infant 

 state. 



To all plants in a growing state, a small quantity of exter- 

 nal air should always be admitted, in order to rectify the in- 

 ternal air. This plan should be observed in the green-house 

 rooms and other confined places. 



ABT. 3. Light 



u Fairest of beings ! first created, Light ! 

 Prime cause of beauty ! for, from thee alone, 

 The sparkling gem, the vegetable race, 

 The nobler worlds that live and breathe, their charms, 

 The lovely hues peculiar to each tribe, 

 From thy unfading source of splendor, draw ! 

 In thy pure rays, with transport, I survey 

 This firmament, and those her rolling worlds ; 

 Their magnitudes and motions.'* 



Light is one of the most requisite agents to the vegetable 

 kingdom, as few vegetables (the Fungious excepted) are 

 known to thrive and have their proper qualities without this 

 stimulant. 



The most common observer may have ocular demonstra- 

 tion of this fact, by plants generally growing towards the 

 light, in windows of houses and confined situations ; and as 

 soon as the plant is reversed, the position is reversed also. 

 Leaves, flowers and fruits, are always more replete with their 

 proper qualities, when in an exposed situation. This is ob- 

 servable in the tops of trees. It is generally understood by 

 horticulturalists, that no light as yet known artificially, will 

 compensate for the absence of the sun. 



That vegetables lose their proper qualities, when deprived 

 of the presence of light, is exemplified in the Celery and En- 

 dive when blanched ; which is effected by excluding them 

 from the light, in which case the vegetable loses its natural 



3 C 



