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HABITS OF PLANTS — SEASON OF REPOSE. 
We approach the season of winter, and some preparation is accordingly required. 
It is usual to date the commencement of that season at quarter-day, at the period 
when the sun, having attained its greatest meridional depression, passes into the 
ascending signs of the Zodiac. This has been noticed in a former article, but it 
will not be out of place to remind the gardener that his winter must commence 
about the middle of November, when the growth of plants having ceased, a state of 
rest has been, in the ordinary run of years, completely established. 
In our next, we propose to recur to the subject as appropriate to the middle of 
winter. Now it will be sufficient to attend to those preparatory steps which expe- 
rience has proved to be in accordance with the laws of Nature, so far as our artificial 
habits can be made conformable to those laws. 
We have now to attend to an established rule which it has of late years become 
fashionable to announce as absolute : — " All Nature requires rest; and every plant 
that the earth produces, a period of repose or torpor.'" There is plausibility in this, 
because we perceive that the hardiest weed of the ground sinks into repose, or at all 
events ceases for a time to grow ; but, on the other hand, the great natural agents, 
those which actuate the vital principles, never become inactive. The sun (so far at 
least as respects sensible appearances) continues its course without let or remission ; 
its altitudes and vitalising power vary, its light diminishes or increases according to 
the seasons ; and thus, in proportion, it acts upon the vegetable tissues : therefore, 
while we admit the changes which are in ceaseless operation, we must qualify the 
rule, and be very cautious before an attempt be made to bring about a state of rest, 
which is by no means indispensable to the healthy condition of all the subjects 
which are introduced to our miscellaneous collections. Waiving the consideration 
of the hardy plants cultivated in the open garden, we come at once to the subjects 
that are indicated by the above title. 
The habits of plants must greatly depend upon peculiarity of climate. How 
then can we expect that the tenants of our artificially constructed houses should 
conform simultaneously to one uniform method of treatment and discipline ? 
And is it possible that a state of rest should be induced among hundreds of indi- 
viduals whose characters are remote as is their natural place of abode ? 
The only mode of treatment (we mean generally) that can be adopted at the 
approach of our cold and misty weather in November, consists in a gradual abate- 
ment of water, to an extent that shall be just sufficient to maintain the verdure of 
the foliage without flagging. 
When evaporation from moist surfaces, either of the mould or floor, is proved 
by any good hygrometer to be nearly at an end, it is clear that little water can be 
required. A very simple instrument will be found to answer the purpose in most 
ordinary cases. Let a piece of the best whipcord fifteen inches long be completely 
