134 



THE NEW GENESEE FARMER, 



VolJ 



" A Report on the Herbaceous Plants of Bias- 



sacliusctts." 

 Pdblisued agreeable to an order of the Legislature 

 By the Commissioners of the Zoological and Bota- 

 nical Survey of the Stale. Cambridge, 1841. 

 The Botanicnl Survey of the Stnte of Mnssachu- 

 ectts was nesigned to two individuals. The trees and 

 shrubs to E. B. Emerson, Esq., and the Herbaceous 

 r!n'.ua to our esteemed follow citizen, Rev. Chester 

 Djvvey, Professor of Cliemietry, Botany, and Natural 

 Philosophy in the Berlishire Medical Institution of 

 P.ttalicld. (Now Principal ot the Collegiate Institute 

 at Rochester, N. Y.) 



In making his report, Prof. Dewey has avoided the 

 objection commonly made against Scientific reports ; 

 namely, thot they are too technical and abstruse to be 

 useful or interesting to common readers. He has 

 adopted a systematic and scienliiic arrangement, and 

 at the same time made the descriptions popular and easy 

 to be tuiderstood; and taken notice of facts of interest 

 or importance to cultivators and others. So that the 

 work is highly useful and interesting, not only to Bot- 

 anists but to common readers. 



The following notice of Indian Corn will serve as 

 «n example : 



Zea. Ii. 10. 3. Indian Com. 

 The Greek name of some kind of corn, from the 

 Greek word to lire, on account of its nutriment. 



Z. mays. L. Maize Cultivated, but indigenous 

 to America. It is more abundant at the South, larg- 

 er, and more productive, and its Hour is whiter and 

 more ciceilent. The necessiiy of hot weather to 

 ripen this grain in this latitude, is well known and 

 verified by the heat of tho last summer, (If;®) when 

 the corn was, to a considerable extent, ripened at an 

 early day in September, even in Berkshire County. 

 It is probable that seed which would ripen earlier, or 

 had become better adapted to the climate, was plant- 

 ed, and the favorable season early matured it. 



There are many varieties of Indian Corn, of which 

 Maize is the South American name ; all of which 

 may be reduced to one epew'es. Some are far more 

 hardy than the others. One of this kind is mention- 

 ed by Nuttall as cultivated by the wesiorn and north- 

 ern Indians, and called " Early Mandan Corn." 

 Some grow and ripen in England. The value of this 

 grass is immense. Its stalks and leaves are excellent 

 fodder for cattle. 



Indian corn was introduced into England in 1560. 

 The species Z. C.irugua, W. Cross Corn, from Val- 

 paraiso, and which parches into a cross like form, is 

 probably cultivated in some parts of the State. 



As our corn is liable to be affected and sometimes 

 cut off by a too early frost, it is important to obtain 

 seed from a more northern section, which will be far 

 more likely to ripen here. Though it may bear a 

 smaller ear, tho advantage is obvious. But, when 

 the crop is injured by the frost, it was clearly ascer- 

 tained a few years since, that more corn was ripened 

 by cutting it up Irom tho roots and placing it upright 

 in small collections, than by leaving it to stand. In 

 the latter case, the juice of the plant seems to be 

 drawn to the rout, in the former to be carried into the 

 kernels on the ear, and to bring more of them to ma- 

 turity. 



Tho smut of Maize is Uredo zca, Schw., a fungus 

 of dangerous properties. Only a little is produced in 

 our country, and it is avoided by animals. It is said 

 to have a deleterious effect on those who cat it. 



In reply to the objection that many of tho plants no- 

 ticed " are nothing but iocerfs," the Prcfc^sor make* 

 the follov/ing interesting remarks: 



Of the Useless Plants. 

 A largo number of the plants which are considered 

 useless, because they have yet no known application, 

 are particularly described in this Report. They oc- 

 cupy space ; they aid in covering the earth with ve- 

 getable life. They are, indeed, tvccds, and often 

 considered as mere nuisances. What is the advan- 

 tage derived from them ? What object is dc3igned 

 by them ? Can any one be in truth, itseless ? Cer- 

 tainly not, is the reply to the last question. The 

 other3_may receive the following answers 



oxygen has become combined with carbon, or the es- 

 sence of charcoal, and cannot be separated by the 

 lungs so as to support lile. This separation is ctTcct- 

 ed by vegetables, Tliey take up the carbon and res- 

 tore the oxygen to the atmosphere. They do this as 

 they grow in the air, and also as tlioy grow in and 

 under water. Provision is made for the absorption of 

 carbonic acid by water, and thus food is supplied to 

 plants, and hfe to animals. This is one of tho most 

 beautiful provisions in the economy of Divine Provi- 

 dence. It has sometimes been doubted whether ve- 

 getables were able completely to accomplish the ob- 

 ject. None have maintained, however, that they did 

 not operate largely and chiefly to this end. Even the 

 general opinion seems to be strongly in favor of their 

 perfectly effecting this purpose. To accomplish this 

 object, vegetables must be spreod widely over the 

 earth. It might not be sufHcicnt to depend upon the 

 results of cultivation. Besides, the vegetables must 

 be formed for growth through all the warm season of 

 the year, and in all the variety of soil, situation, cli- 

 mate, condition. Plants that are directly useful 

 wonld not be more likely to elTect this end in all this 

 variety ; it is doubtful, indeed, whether the nselul 

 plants would be so well adapted to this state of things, 

 as they generally require a more favorable combina- 

 tion of circumstances. 



To secure this end, too, it is important that a host 

 of plants should have no natural attractions for ani- 

 mals, that they may grow without molestation, and 

 exe.-t their influence upon the ntmoaphere without in- 

 terruption. 



This end is secured by the foliage of forests, which 

 is chiefly removed from all access of destructive agen- 

 cies. 



It is general fact that animals multiply nearly in 

 proportion to the supply of food. If all vegetables 

 were food for animals, the entire action of a great 

 raidtitude could not be employed, as it now is, in pu- 

 rifying the atmosphere. 



In this grand respect, all plants are performing a 

 work of the highest utility. Unseen and silent, they 

 renovate the very pabulum of life. 



2. Another end of the vegetable kingdom is food 

 for the animal. All animal life is ultimately support- 

 ed from the vegetable world. Butanimal life abounds; 

 tens of thousands of smaller animals, and especially of 

 the iueect tribe, must be dependent, as well as the 

 larger animals and man, upon vegetables. By their 

 foilage and seeds, the [ilanls now considered as use- 

 less by many, may give far more support in tho arti- 

 cle of food, than is commonly imagined. We know that 

 many small birds derive much food from seeds, as also 

 a host of insects ; and yet we may be in relative ig- 

 norance on this subject. Even the animals of the 

 seas must have no inconsiderable dependence upon 

 vegetable Bubstonces for their support. A greot 

 amount of decomposed vegetables must be annually 

 poured into the great rcicrvoii by all the rivers. 



3. Plants enrich the soil, and lit it for tho produc- 

 tion of vegetables in greater quantity. This is true 

 of vegetables generally, when ihey live and die and 

 decay on their place of growth. Cultivation oftcnex- 

 hausts land, because no adequate return is made for 

 the vegetable matter removed from the fields. The 

 vegetables, often considered useless, will, by their de- 

 cay perform another important service, in enriching 

 the earth, and improving the soil. It has long been 

 remarked, that this effect follows, because the atmos- 

 phere contains the elenients of vegetable matter, and 

 plants derive their support from the air as well as from 

 the earth. Experiment has proved that a plant will 

 grow and flourish without any food except that ob- 

 tained from water and the atmosphere. 'J'he reason 

 for giving up exhausted fields to the growth of any 

 vegetables for a few years, is philosoi-hical and con- 

 clusive. Without the great fact ofvcgetables enrich- 

 ing the earth, the reason could not exist. 



4 Manyimportant propertiesandapplicalionsof tl^ese 

 plants may yet bo discovered and made, so that they 

 may be seen to be more directly useful. Great dis- 

 coveries have been made in this respect within the last 

 fifty years. It cannot bo doubted thn.t the progress 

 of discovery is only jujt commenced. The beautiful 

 colors for painting, called Z«ics, are many of them 

 obtained from vegetables and many more may yet be 

 procured. Combinations too of vegetable matter may 

 develope important powers. Without this, indeed, 

 important uses have already been seen. 



''- The beauty and variety of vegetable life are " 



agency ; the ceaseless variety amidst surprising , 

 formity. j 



These are reasons amply adequate to produce an 

 tercet in respect to all parts of vegetables. The | 

 ification of the atmosjihere alone, and preservinj 

 it the due proportion of oxygen in a state to sup] 

 life, invests the world of vegetables with new alti 

 tions. 



#« 



Ok the Importance of Systemntlc CnltivatM 



k, nor ttie husbandry wliich 



Mos' 



-Bid 



Vf« 



Agriculture is tho oldust art of which we have > 

 account. It was the occuj)ation chosen by God. 

 the first man, Adam, By it, nations and cemmt 

 ties are kept together. It is th* bond of union t 

 unites all society. It is an art more conducivt 

 health, and more" strictly united with religious 

 moral virtue thon any other. It is important, i 

 that it should be well understood. It requires lo Imi 



■in It 



ri't- T''?,^'=gf"''"e kingdom is the great meanaof pu- themselves a useful end. In this way are displayed 



ri.ying the atmosphere, so that it may sustain the the wisdom, power, and contrivance of the Creator 



an,muH«tgdom. Respiration of animals and various the illimitable means at his con™X the cLc arof 



torr?u'" ""'"'■"u' P™duce such a change as tends the same ends by objects so diverse ; the adaptaUon 



to make the atmosphere uafit for its great office. Its of means to ends ; the constaat at pt^Tvision 'of hU 



rioue work, and constant application. Inquiries 

 the principles of agriculture are like the key of kni 

 ledge, that will open unto us an exteuEive f 

 for inquiry. Intelligent and pnlient observation 

 disclose vast riches for the mind to delight in, and 

 vast resources lor physical happiness. As noth 

 comes by chance, as there is a cause, a law for ev 

 thing that occurs in the universe, the inquiring ci 

 vator of the soil may trace those laws, and ascert 

 correctly the theory of nature in the production 

 re-production of plants; and when he prosecutes th' 

 interesting inquires, he will oblain the most pre 

 able results for bis labor, both mentally and in the 

 creased product of his lands. He will be a scienti 

 or natural farmer. 



Why not? Eet everj' man understand thoroug 

 the fundamental principles of hia own business. W 

 a fund of knowledge may agriculturalists acquire. 



Many formers are contenlod to abandon their pr Ji 

 lice to their own taste and prejudices, without 

 tempting to make serious investigation into the ( 

 ence or princi/>le of their business, or of trying expi 

 mente, that they may be led to adopt improved mo^- 

 of practice. Such farmers, though they may succi 

 in obtaining a living by their labor, will never i 

 vance in knowledge or wealth, or experience the ti 

 happiness, dignity and independence, which tb 

 calling, under inleliisent and systematic direction, 

 so well calculated to produce. 



Practice, to be beneficial to the land, and profita'i 

 to the cultivator, must be in accordance with natu 

 laws; and so far as any success attend the labors 

 the most ignorant and careless, it is only bccai 

 these laws have been partially observed. It is i 

 enough that a man was born and bred a farmer, to < 

 able him to secure the most desirable retulta, for, 

 may be, that his breeding has not been of the bc-it i 

 der, or, if he has been brought up on a good fan 

 and his mode of culture produce him better crni 

 keep his land in better tilth, and yield him more pi 

 lit than bis neighbor receives, yet the experience 

 others will be highly useful, for the field of enquiry 

 large; the knowledge obtained from good bocks, 1 

 ing the record of scientific and systematic experimen 

 conducted by farmers, as good, not to say better th 

 himself, will be found highly serviceable to him. 



When a man of superior genius applies himself 

 the arts, experience shows us that he does it wi 

 greater ability, force of mind, industry, taste, a 

 with more inventions, new discoTeries, and vario 

 exporiments; whereas, a common man confines hir 

 self servilely within the common road, and to his a 

 cient cutitom. Nothing opens hi« eyes, nothing rais 

 him above his old habitudes, ond after many years 

 patient labor, ho still continues the same, without m 

 king any progress in the profession he follows. 



One reason of the small produce of farms, and tl 

 small return to the industrious farmer, is, that agricr 

 tnre is not generally regarded as an art. that requir 

 rules, rrjlcction and stvdy. It has too long been ri 

 garded as a mere manual occupation. A man is cal 

 cd a farmer, and is thought to have performed h 

 part, when all that he does is to plough, plant an 

 harvest, without regard to rules or system. It 

 strange, indeed, that farmers, who, above all eiheri 

 ought to understand the theory of soils, and the pre 

 diiction of plants, and to observe the phenomenon ( 

 nature in these particulars, as a means not only of ad 

 ding to their knowledge, but to their ease antl profit 

 should neglect them most. 



Experience is above all precepts, and makes eve: 

 the faults we have committed conduce to our advan 

 tuge, for from doing wrong, we often learn to reform 

 The experience, thon, of the thousands of intelligcn 

 minds, who hav« elucidated and brought out trmhs, 



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