68 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Feb. 



tween them is, that while the latter appropriate 

 ouly liquid matters, or those alimentary par- 

 ticles which have been previously prepared for 

 absorption and assimilation by solution, the 

 former take in only gaseous or aeriform prin- 

 ciples. This position has been repeatedly 

 demonstrated l)y experiments, and few who 

 have contemplated the evolutions of nature, 

 will doubt its correctness. 



If wc bury the limbs of some plants, and 

 elevate their roots into the free air, we shall 

 find that the devclopement, as well as the 

 position of the structure, will be reversed ; 

 the part having on it the roots will put forth 

 buds and leaves, and the inhumed branches 

 assume the character and perform the office of 

 roots. The willow affords the most complete 

 illustration of this principle of adajitation in 

 plants. A twig or sucker of this wood, in- 

 serted in a moist soil, with its natural position 

 reversed, will grow almost as vigorously as a 

 seedling, and in a short time become a thriv- 

 ing tree. 



During the night, plants are believed, by 

 most, to evolve carbonic acid ; but this process 

 is by no means so rapid, or so extensive in its 

 products as to destroy the balance in favor of 

 the plants, so far as regards the quantity ab- 

 sorbed by them during the day. The quantity 

 of this gas taken in by the f ohage is graduated 

 in a greqt degree by the season, climate, soil 

 and specific character or nature of the plant. 

 On a general estimate it is perhaps safe to as- 

 sume that of the entire amount of carbon con- 

 tained in the crops of our fields, — if the soil 

 thereof is of medium fertility, — from one-third 

 to three-fourths is derived directly from the 

 air. 



The functions performed by tki leaves of 

 plants, are singularly varied and beautiful : — 



"In human works, though labored on with pain, 

 A tliousand movements scarce one purpose gain, 

 ki God's, one, single, can its ends produce, 

 Yet seams to second, too, some other Use." 



When we look upon mighty forests, spread- 

 ing as far the eye can reach, ' 'piercing the sum- 

 mer heavens with their imnumbered cones, — 

 when we survey the bosom of the earth clothed 

 in all the wild luxuriance of variegated verdure, 

 and yielding its diversified and inexhaustible 

 wealth for the support and happiness of man, — 

 we seldom reflect that the elastic iluid which 

 tho hand of Omnipotence has drawn around 

 our planet is the source from wbach this vast 



assemblage of beauty and utility is derived." 

 We arc too apt to attribute the production of 

 all this to the earth, and to regard the atmos- 

 phere — like the old philosophers — as an empty 

 void, incapable of furnishing anything of im- 

 portance or usefulness to plants, and nothing 

 but air to man ! 



There is not a leaf, however minute, that 

 "spreads its glossy surface to the summer's 

 sun, which does not drink from this wide 

 source of life the aliment which sustains its 

 being ; all are alike indebted to it, and all 

 alike would perish were they to be deprived 

 of it." The elements of the common atmos- 

 phere, therefore, being of so much impor- 

 tance, it is of the utmost consequence that we 

 endeavor, as far as possible, to avail ourselves 

 of its assistance, which we are enabled to do 

 in several ways. 



GROWING VIOLETS. 



The Violet has ever been one of my favor- 

 ite window flowers. In former years when 

 brought into the house from the cold pits to 

 fiower, they were placed at once in the sitting- 

 room window, where we had a regular tem- 

 perature of about sixty degrees ; but the stalks 

 were always slender, and the llowers rather 

 small. Thinking it was too hot, I kept them 

 other years in a cooler room, where the heat 

 might perhaps not range over between 4.5 and 

 55, and the result has been much healthier 

 looking plants and finer foliage. Besides this, 

 they were not much behind what I have had 

 in warmer places in other years. I am sure 

 they wan^ very little heat to do well. 



Another fact. I have learned that a ma- 

 nure water made of rotten wood is a capital 

 fertilizer for them. Once I thought, as shady 

 places were the natural places where \'iolets 

 grow, rotten wood would be a good thing in 

 the soil, but they sometimes get sick in it ; 

 but the liquid of steeped wood does not seem 

 to have this elFect ; on the other hand, a lively 

 green is the result. We never water them ejc- 

 cept when they show signs of drying ; in our 

 room, this is about twice a week. — Gardaier^s 

 Monthly. 



How TO Cook Egg Plant. —Pare and out 

 the plant in thin slices ; let it stand for two 

 or three hours in cold water, well salted, 

 which removes a strong flavor and makes it 

 more delicate ; when thoroughly drained, dip 

 each slice into egg and cream, well beaten, 

 (two eggs and two tablespoonfuls of cream), 

 then into cracker crumbs. Have ready a 

 large iry'mg kettle of boiling lard, frying a 

 few slices at a time ; they need room, if you 

 would have them delicate and crisp. Stewed 

 tomato is very nice with egg plant. 



