Bzviving Plants. 83 



REVIVING PLANTS. 



The following extract, describing a mode of reviving faded 

 or dying plants, is taken from the Journal of Science for 1828. 

 Experiments made by ourselves, have proved that this plan 

 may be relied upon as effecting the object desired. We have 

 found also, that a simple mixture of alcohol and water, will 

 produce a similar effect, though in a less degree. 



« This is called a proved method' of reviving plants, when 

 . their leaves and buds are faded, and their bark and roots hard 

 and nearly dry. The directions are to dissolve camphor to 

 saturation in alcohol, adding the former until it remains solid at 

 the bottom ; a sufficient quantity of rain or river water is then 

 to have the alcoholic solution added to it, in the proportion of 

 four drops to one ounce of water. As the camphor comes in 

 contact with the water, it will form a thin solid film, which is 

 to be well beaten up with the water. For a short time the 

 camphor will float in the water in small flocculi, but will ulti- 

 mately combine with the fluid, and disappear. Plants which 

 have been removed from the earth, and have suffered by a 

 journey, or otherwise, should be plunged into this camphorated 

 water, so that they may be entirely covered. In about two, or 

 at most three hours, the contracted leaves will expand again, 

 the young faded and drooping shoots will erect themselves, and 

 the dried bark will become smooth and full. That being 

 effected, the plant is to be placed in good earth, copiously 

 watered with rain or river water, and protected from the too 

 powerful action of the sun, until the roots have taken good hold 

 of the ground. When large plants, as trees, are to be revived, 

 their roots are to be plunged into the camphorated water for 

 three hours, the trunk, and even the head of the tree, bein<* 

 frequently wetted with the same water, so as to retain them in 

 a properly moistened state. But it is always best, if possible, to 

 immerse the whole plant. Shoots, sprigs, slips, and roots, are to 

 be treated in the same manner. If plants thus treated are not 

 restored in four hours, their death may be considered as cer- 

 tain, for they cannot be recalled to life by any artificial means. 



