steuart's planter's guide. 



however, not very plain. We have noticed, that the 

 deeper the seed is placed in the ground, the braird 

 rises the higher above ground, even when the seeds 

 at the different depths have been equally moist. This 

 might admit of explanation, but having already oc- 

 cupied too much space with this subject, we shall 

 only remark further, that in close woods, the trees 

 elongate, because they are precluded from extend- 

 ing laterally. The top buds, from receiving more 

 of the stimulating or nourishing influence of the 

 dew, sun's rays, fresh unvitiated air, invigorating 

 motion of the winds, and perhaps of electricity*, 



* We do not mention temperature, because we are not in pos- 

 session of facts sufficient to lead us to form an opinion on the 

 subject. Judging from animal analogy, of which our author is so 

 fond, we notice, that those animals exposed in open atmosphere, 

 have generally warmer blood than those who lurk in holes, — even 

 than those of the same species who happen to live under shelter. 

 Now evaporation takes place from animals as well as from vege- 

 tables, and the consequent cold is more than balanced by the heat of 

 what may be termed the vital fire, which, like most other fires, 

 burns brightest on exposure to a current of atmospheric air, being 

 increased either by the result of the new chemical combinations 

 having less capacity for heat, or by the stimulus of the fresh 

 moving air exciting the vital action. Of the general influence of 

 close forest on temperature, we are also not very well assured ; 

 but the few facts which observation has afforded, lead to the 

 opinion, that to the northward of 30 deg. Lat. forests have higher 

 temperature than bare country; that from about 30 to 30 de- 

 grees Lat. forests are cooler in winter and warmer in sum- 



