PRINCIPLES OF GARDENING. 



55 



not know how and when to rest his plants. In tropical countries 

 plants rest by the drought which alternates with wet. All plants 

 require a season of rest, and it is probable that want of success in 

 their culture more frequently results from ignorance of this fact, and 

 of the peculiarity of their growth, than from any other causes. 



In the cultivation of plants, we have different objects to obtain. 

 We desire our lettuces and salad plants to be succulent and crisp, 

 and therefore' we grow them as quickly as possible, to prevent the 

 development of woody fibre, which would cause them to be stringy. 

 Our forest trees we grow for woody fibre or timber ; our potatoes 

 we grow principally for the starch they contain, and hence they must 

 be fully exposed to light ; our flowering plants are cultivated for 

 blossom, which is obtained by affording the plant ample rest ; but 

 the highest aim of the horticulturist is to obtain fruit of fine colour, 

 substance, form, and flavour, and this can only be accomplished after 

 the blossom is set by a skilful adaptation of light, heat, moisture, 

 and nourishment. 



" I'll take the showers as they fall, 

 I will not vex my bosom; 

 Enough, if at the end of all, 

 A little garden blossom." — Tennyson. 



Vign. XI.— Scene on the Wandle, near Mitcham. 



