THE CULTIVATOR. 
On this account, we selected for our operations a greatf|3.5 centilitres, which appeared to be nitrogen. In short, 
ball-shaped bottle with a narrow neck, capable of con-|| there was, 1st, an enormous quantity of carbonic acid 5 
taining six or eight pints of water. We filled this bot¬ 
tle, and introduced forty garden beans of a large size,| 
without any fissure in the husk, or any other defect entirely of nitrogen, and which amounted to somewhat 
J ' 1 . i 1 , . i_ ^1 4.1 ^ +V. rr mi* in tho W 51 TPV. 
whatever. To this great bottle we adapted a bent tube, 
also filled with water, which finally was introduced into 
a receiver full of the same liquid. 
By this arrangement, the beans were in contact only 
with water, and with the air which it contained, air 
which, under the circumstances, could not be removed ; 
and this was one of those important circumstances 
which led to all the success of the experiments. The 
first phenomenon which presented itself was the disen- 
2dly, scarcely any oxygen 5 and, 3dly, a quantity of gas,j 
which, in the mean while, we shall regard as formed 
less than the quantity of air contained in the water 
On another occasion, we shall consider whether any| 
other gas was present 
Whence, then, proceeded this enormous quantity of 
carbonic acid, in the production of which the air con¬ 
tained in the water must be counted for nothing ? It is 
clear, that since the oxygen does not proceed from the 
air dissolved in the water, it must be derived from one 
of the elements of the water itself. The water, there 
gagement of air-bubbles, which proceeded from thefifore, is decomposed; the oxygen, one of its elements, 
y m , _ twit . V_* A_I/ 1 ll-io 000(1 O Tl M T ni'TYV C thP 
beans. These bubbles were at first very minute, insen-| 
sibly they increased in size, and in the space of twenty 
four hours they were very conspicuous. 
This evolution of gas was itself a very extraordinary 
circumstance which had not previously been pointed 
cut, and which scarcely seemed to agree with the re-j 
ceived ideas upon germination; still less with the sup¬ 
position that this disengagement proceeded from airj 
contained in the beans; which idea soon became whol 
ly improbable from the unceasing continuance of the! 
disengagement of the gas, and to such an extent that it! 
could not by possibility be attributed to this cause. 
First of all, it is certain that the gas came from the] 
beans themselves, for before we introduced them into| 
the apparatus, we were careful to put them in water a.nd 
shake them well, thereby detaching all the air which 
was attached to their surface. For a long time after 
they were plunged into the water of the bottle, no gas 
was seen to issue from their surface, and it made its 
appearance only by degrees. Besides, on other occa¬ 
sions when the beans were cut through, we have seenitj 
proceed from the parenchymatous substance itself.—1 
Many of the beans were actually made to float by the] 
air-bubbles which adhered to them, and fell to the bot-: 
tom so soon as the bubbles burst. 
After a period, which was never less than four days, 
we put an end to the experiment. Our first care was] 
to weigh the beans, that we might thereby determine 
the quantity of water which they had absorbed, and we] 
unites itself to the carbon of the seed, and forms the 
carbonic acid which disengages itself in whole or in part; 
a question into which we shall enter upon another op¬ 
portunity. 
It now remains to inquire what becomes of the hy 
drogen, the other element of the water? We suppose, 
for the moment, that there is no trace of it, as we have 
stated provisionally above; and since it is not disen¬ 
gaged, it must evidently be absorbed by the seed. 
Hence, the results which follow from the experiments 
which we have detailed, from seeds placed in the con¬ 
ditions stated, are, 1st, that the water is decomposed ; 
2d, that the oxygen of the decomposed portion, unites 
with the carbon of the seed, and forms carbonic acid 
gas; 3d, that this carbonic acid disengages itself from 
the seed, in whole or in part; and 4thly, the other por¬ 
tion of the decomposed water, the hydrogen, is absorb¬ 
ed by the seed, in whole or in part. These are the four 
fundamental propositions regarding the respiration ofi_ 
|seeds, to which we shall confine ourselves on the pre-' 
sent occasion. 
It is not a matter of very great moment to ascertain 
whether all the carbonic acid is completely disengaged. 
Nor is it of more consequence that we should know at 
present if all the hydrogen, rendered free by the de¬ 
composition of the water, is completely absorbed by the 
seed ; subjects which, however, we shall discuss on an¬ 
other occasion. The great fundamental fact brought out 
by these researches is the decomposition of water, a 
invariably found that it exceeded their own weight. In|fefact quite foreign to the popular theory of the present 
reality, the mean weight of the beans employed was] 
1,540 grains (avoirdupois), and the moisture which] 
swelled them amounted to about 1,848 grains. 
The most essential point of all in this investigation] 
was to certify that the beans were alive, and in a state] 
of germination; for it is evident that it is a condition] 
which must indispensably be established, that the disen-: 
gagement of the gas which is effected in the water is. 
the result of a natural and normal function. \ 
When taken out of the liquid, some of the beans hadj 
a chink opposite to the point where the radical is situ-' 
ate; but there were only three or four in this condition. 
If the beans were living, the function was normal; so 
we planted them, that we might have an apportunity ofj 
comparing them with the same number of other beans 
which had not been subjected to any experiment, and we 
had the pleasure to see them spring up quite as well as 
these. The best method, however, of conducting the 
experiment is to keep them in moistened paper between 
two plates. Next day, during summer, they had all 
completely germinated, and the radicals had projected 
some four or five lines. 
As to the production of the gas, we shall observe that 
that which was disengaged, traversed the water, and] 
passed through the tube into the receiver, was only the 
sign of the function; and nothing more than the over¬ 
plus of that which was dissolved in the water at the 
moment it was formed; it must also have been in very 
small quantity. The proportion of air which had tra 
versed the water without being dissolved by it, amount-] 
ed to between 20 and 40 millilitres ; but that which was] 
dissolved in the water, and which was disengaged by'] 
boiling, was very considerable, and might well, as it did, 
surprise us 
The whole interest of the experiment here depends 
upon the quantity of the air naturally contained in the 
water, compared with that which had been produced by 
the seed. Accordingly, we made many experiments to 
ascertain the proportion of air contained in the water 
of the well which we used; and we found that the wa¬ 
ter in our bottles before the experiments, as the mean 
of our observations, contained 7.5 centilitres of air, and 
after the experiment 55.5 centilitres, in an experiment 
of five days’ continuance. Hence, after subtracting the 
air naturally contained in the water, we find 47.7 cen¬ 
tilitres of gas, produced solely by the action of the wa¬ 
ter and the beans. The result of another experiment, 
which lasted for six days, after making the same sub 
traction, was 50.5 centilitres of gas, produced above 
the quantity of air naturally dissolved in the water of 
the bottle. There was, therefore, disengaged by the 
sole action of the seeds and the water, after subtracting 
the air which the latter contained, more than half a pint 
of gas; a very remarkable effect, and which, when 
seen on so great a scale, leaves not the slightest doubt 
as to the action of water in the respiration of beans, 
abstraction being made for the air contained in the li¬ 
quid. 
Our next object was to ascertain what information 
analysis would give us respecting the nature of the gas 
supplied by the seeds. And first, there was an enor¬ 
mous proportion of carbonic acid. Of the 55 centilitres 
produced by the experiment of five days’ continuance in 
summer, 48 were carbonic acid. 2dly, An infinitely 
small quantity, 2.5 millilitres was oxygen, and about] 
day. 
It also results from the facts which we have propound¬ 
ed, that respiration is not, as it has hitherto been con¬ 
sidered, solely a function of excretion; but it at the 
same time exhibits, according as we have demonstrated, 
a fundamental fact concerning the nutrition and the de¬ 
velopment of the embryo by the absorption of hydro¬ 
gen- 
In addition to the respiration of seeds, a great variety 
of which we have examined, we have also investigated] 
that of bulbs, twigs, leaves, and flowers, the results ofj 
which we hope to have the honor of presenting to the 
Academy. We may, however, remark, that the facts 
detailed in this memoir, regarding the respiration oF 
the seed, form the basis of the respiration of other parts] 
of the plant, as will be more clearly exhibited in the se¬ 
quel, as well as the part which the air plays in this im¬ 
portant function .—Edinburgh A eiv Philosophical Jour¬ 
nal. 
of 
Visit to the Farm of Elias Phinney, Esq 
Lexington, Mass. 
[From the Neiv-England Farmer .] 
We have in the farm of this gentleman substantial 
proof of the efficacy of “ book farming.” He assured 
us that his interest in agriculture was first awakened by 
reading the N. E. Farmer. Having received a classical 
education, he has to be sure, the advantage of our far¬ 
mers in general, for whom so little has been done by 
education—we were prepared, therefore, in viewing his 
premises, to witness something a little extra, from what 
may be seen on well cultivated farms in general: but 
we found that our expectations had not been raised suf¬ 
ficiently high : we were in fact delighted and astonished 
to be made acquainted with the wonderful improve¬ 
ments which have been effected on this place since he 
began to cultivate it, fourteen or fifteen years since.— 
It was then a poor worn out farm, covered with rocks, 
whortleberry bushes, and scrub oaks; while the low¬ 
lands were inaccessible quagmires and alder swamps 
of the most unpromising description—the whole farm, 
consisting of 160 acres, not affording more than 8 or 
10 tons of hay, and all other crops in the same propor¬ 
tion—the fences out of repair—the fruit of an inferior 
quality, fit only for cider—and every thin 
place at sixes and sevens, as the saying 
not seem hardly possible that so much could have been 
achieved in so short a time. It shows what can be 
done by untiring diligence directed by science. It is a j 
a complete triumph of “ book-farming” over the old 
course of husbandry, handed down from father to son. 
Mr. Phinney has had the boldness to strike out of the 
old path, and in some instances pursue a course of his 
own invention. His improvements may be divided as 
follows: 
1st. In planting upon the green sward without disturb¬ 
ing the sod. 
2.d In clearing and draining his waste swamps and 
quagmires, and converting them into the most produc¬ 
tive grass and cornfields. 
3d. In clearing his uplands of rocks and laying them 5 
into walls of the most durable and massive description 
subduing the bushes in the unproductive pastures, and 
bringing them into fertile fields. { 
s upon the 
is. It does 
171 
4th. In his orchard of apple-trees, which for beauty*, 
thrift and produce, can hardly be excelled. 
5th. In his choice collection of fruits of every desira¬ 
ble variety. 
6th. In his improved breed of swine. 
7th. His barns and accommodations for cattle, swine, 
poultry, &c. 
To which may be added, many other improvements 
of minor importance, but which add to the interest, 
beauty, and profit of the place. 
The idea of planting upon the green sward without 
disturbing the sod, has been ridiculed by a writer in the 
N. E. Farmer, vol. 17, page 317, as being impracticable, 
especially in the potato crop. We saw an example of 
this operation, and one too of a most perfect kind, which 
we should suppose sufficient to convince the most scep¬ 
tical. It was in a lot of three acres of potatoes. On 
the 20th of June, there was a heavy crop of grass upon 
the ground, in addition to which twenty loads of com¬ 
post to the acre was spread on, and at that time turned 
over; after ploughing, it was rolled with a heavy roller, 
(an implement, by the way, which should be in the pos¬ 
session of every one who calls himself a farmer.) The 
potatoes were planted in drills—had been hoed but once 
—yet hardly a weed was to be seen, nor a spear of grass 
daring to show itself, and sufficient earth about the 
plants, with every prospect of an abundant harvest. 
In the spring this ground will be in fine order to lay 
down again to grass, and that, too, without disturbing 
the sod; or, if advisable, planted with corn or any other 
crop. 
Allowing the vegetable matter turned in equal to 20 
loads of compost per acre, we have with that spread 
what is equivalent to 40 loads per acre. No wonder, then, 
that by following this process continually, he should be 
able to cut from 2£ to 3£ tons of hay per acre, which he 
actually does from his grass lands. He has another idea 
which we think important for a good crop of grass; 
that is, to sow an abundance of seed. His rule is 201bs. 
of clover seed per acre, together with a liberal allowance 
of herd’s grass and red top to boot. This would asto¬ 
nish most of our farmers, who can afford only from 4 to 
lOlbs. per acre. 
We saw a field of six acres of corn, from which a crop 
of 80 bushels to the acre is estimated, and provided we 
have warm weather sufficient to ripen any corn, we 
should judge the estimate not too high ; the cold wea¬ 
ther a few days past is, however, against the corn crop. 
The variety of corn planted is called the Phinney—a 
fine long eared, twelve rowed variety, and earlier than 
the Dutton, to which it has some resemblance. 
In another lot on his peat meadow, we saw a smaller 
field, on which the corn was more luxuriant and promis¬ 
ing than on the one just named, and if that produces 80 
bushels, we should not be surprised if this produced 100 
bushels to the acre. Think of this, you that own unre¬ 
claimed peat meadows, and are longing for the fertile 
prairies of the west; before you sacrifice your farms 
and bid adieu to the institutions and hills of New-Eng- 
land, make an effort and bring them into subjection: it 
will prove an antidote to the western fever, or we are 
much mistaken. 
We noticed a fine field of wheat of 8 acres, which the 
laborers were gathering into the granary. It appeared 
well filled out: the produce estimated at 20 bushels per 
acre: itwas of the variety called the Black Sea, which we 
find succeeds best in the vicinity of Boston, and most 
generally cultivated. We were informed that about 30 
acres were under the plough the present season. Be¬ 
sides Indian corn, potatoes and English grain, Mr. Phin¬ 
ney cultivates the root crop extensively. His ruta ba- 
gas, mangel wurtzels, sugar beets and carrots looked ve¬ 
ry promising, and will afford an abundance of food for 
his numerous family of swine and other stock. 
In draining his low lands, Mr. Phinney first cuts off 
all springs from the surrounding hills, by a deep cut at 
the margin or outer edge of the piece, which is convert¬ 
ed into a blind ditch : from this most important cut, the 
drains are made to the centre ditch. Where there is an 
abundance of stones, as in this case, all the drains may 
be filled and covered over, so that the operations of the 
plough, &c. may not be impeded. We were shown one 
piece over which it was dangerous for his cattle to pass, 
and in which they sometimes got mired, before he com¬ 
menced the draining process; here his first essay on drain¬ 
ing had been made, in which, through inexperience, he cut 
only the centre and cross drains, but with all he did, it 
would produce nothing but skunk’s cabbage, hellebore, 
brakes, &c. and it seemed that all his labor had been 
lost, until he learned the importance of the ditch around 
the margin, which produced the desired effect, and now 
it ranks among his most productive grass lots, and a 
loaded team may be driven without difficulty over it. 
We were pleased with his system of digging peat, of 
which he has ample an supply. Where peat is generally 
dug, the grounds are left in the roughest slate, and pre¬ 
sent an unpleasant and unsightly appearance, and re¬ 
main an unproductive waste: but it is his rule to have 
the top spit, a depth of ten inches or a foot, (the portion 
unfit for the fire,) thrown over and levelled as the work 
of digging proceeds: in this way it soon becomes co¬ 
vered with grass, which answers very well for stock 
hay. 
One peculiar feature of this farm is the massive stone 
walls by which it is enclosed and divided. It would 
seem a Herculean task to build the wall that has been 
put up under the care of the intelligent proprietor. In 
the measurement of the length of wall upon the farm, 
we may safely say there are miles of it—we know not 
how much there may be—on this subject we are not in- 
