175 

 APPLICATION 



OF PHYSIOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE 



TO THE 



VARIOUS PRACTICES OF THE CULTIVATOR. 



SECTION I. 



Sowing. THE components of a seed have been 

 already noticed and described as consisting of the 

 embryo plant, contained in one, or between two or 

 more cotyledons, which are the kernel or farinaceous 

 lobes destined to support the infant plant while it is 

 establishing itself in the ground. These internal 

 parts are protected, after separation from the parent, 

 by two, often three investments, in the form of mem- 

 braneous films, coriaceous coats, or hard woody shells. 



Although nature, in many instances, has made 

 provision for the dispersion of seeds by furnishing 

 them with volant appendages, or ejecting them from 

 elastic capsules by which they are scattered to con- 

 siderable distances around, yet there is no provision 

 for covering them, except the fallen leaves, the tread- 

 ing of cattle, or other accidents. They are shed 

 where they grow ; and the season for ripening is also 

 the natural season for sowing. This holds good with 

 respect to every plant existing in its native habitat, 

 as we find in the case of weeds ; but among the mul- 



