ON THE NUTRIMENT OF PLANTS. 29 



The blossom-bud being injured in any way, either by cold 

 or other casualty detrimental to it, is generally destroyed ; but 

 the wood-bud on the same tree or shrub, is not, although ex- 

 posed to the same injuries ; and in many cases, as the Grape 

 Vine, the blossom-bud is blinded or destroyed by many 

 causes detrimental to it, although the vine will perhaps break 

 and grow in a very healthy manner. 



AnT. 7. Observations on the Leaf. 



The leaves of plants being the principal organs of respira- 

 tion, also contribute to their growth by their power of absorp- 

 tion ; they are of the greatest importance in this operation. 

 The surrounding air, whether internal or external, being ab- 

 sorbed by their agency, requires to be of a pure and whole- 

 some nature, in order to keep them in a healthy, vigorous 

 state. We are informed by botanists that the leaves of 

 plants are synonymous with the lungs of animals, therefore, 

 whatever disease is imbibed by them, enters into their system. 



When too much heat and moisture are applied in green- 

 houses, or frames, where plants are growing, it is imbibed by 

 the leaf, and the consequence is, that the plant is elongated 

 without its proper qualities, the leaves assume a feeble ap- 

 pearance, and are often totally destroyed, when the sun and 

 air act on them sufficiently to nourish their more healthy 

 parts. Leaves, when decaying, are most liable to breed 

 many insects, as, the Red Spider, Trip, and all other insects 

 which are increased by decomposition ; therefore, decaying 

 and dead leaves should, in all cases, be taken from plants in 

 a state of vegetation. 



In conclusion to what has been said on trees and plants, it 

 appears evident that the native of all kinds of plants in the 

 common idea, is the primitive, and is perpetual, and that every 

 variety, of improved quality, must originate from it, either by 

 chance or luxuriant culture ; and it is at the same time clear, 

 that by crossing the primitive or native plants of any country, 

 of the same natural order, new varieties, of improved quali- 



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