By Daniel Hill, Esq. 



235 



tivated in the earth with the greatest care* During the 

 progress of their vegetation, the Oxygene Air in the phial is 

 gradually absorbed and consumed no doubt by the plant. 



I have been enabled to produce Melons of a higher flavour 

 than usual in our climate, and under very unfavourable ma- 

 nagement in other respects, by applying Oxygene Air to their 

 roots, and have no doubt but it would improve all fruits 

 whatever, as well as enable plants to resist the effects of 

 cold * In no esculent vegetable, however, are the good 

 effects of this vital air more evident, than in the Zea Mays, 

 or Indian Corn, as the specimens now exhibited prove, which, 

 though grown in Great Russel-street, equal in size most of 

 those imported from North America. 



* These experiments strongly confirm the opinion of our President, stated in 

 the Philosophical Transactions of 1808, that the sap of vegetables becomes sac- 

 charine, and prepared to generate their new leaves, by the absorption of Oxygene 

 Air. He has also suggested that one of the offices of the alburnous tubes is to 



f The late Mr. Francis Masson informed me, that he was convinced all the 

 plants which grow wild in the high mountains of Lange kloof, Rogge veldt, and 

 other districts at the Cape of Good Hope, there experience a continued degree 

 of frost every winter, which would kill them in our green-houses ; possibly the 

 author's theory may account for this, if it appears from accurate investigation, 

 that the air of those heights is considerably more oxygenated than in lower 

 countries.— Seer. 



