EXTRACTS—HORTICULTURE. 
369 
be wholly or chiefly elaborated. It is proper to confess, however, that we are 
still much in the dark upon this interesting subject, it being extremely difficult, 
if not impossible, to trace the fluid taken up by a plant after it passes beyond 
the surface. At page 53, it is important to remark, that the pores of the sponge- 
lets or suckers will not admit any fluid much thicker than water, and, accordingly 
when plants are watered with the drainings of a farm-yard in an undiluted state, 
the pores of the spongelets are obstructed, aud the plants are suffocated, or ra¬ 
ther perish of famine in the midst of plenty. At page 69 he remarks, that it 
might be supposed, as plants seem to feed chiefly on carbon, that they would 
thrive well in smoke, or in an atmosphere of carbonic acid gas ; but it is found 
not to be so, for the particles of carbon in smoke are too large to enter the pores, 
and too much undiluted carbonic gas gorges them, and they become brown, 
and die. Plants, it would appear then, are destined by providence to purify 
the air which is loaded with carbonic acid gas from the lungs of animals, and 
to give out a fresh supply of oxygen to replace what is taken up by the lungs. 
During the night, however, plants take up oxygen, and give out carbonic acid 
gas; and hence it is not proper to keep plants in a bed-room.” 
After treating on the external and internal organs, the classifications of Lin¬ 
naeus and Jussieu are simply explained; and the whole is closed with an index 
of the technical terms marked in notes at the bottom of the pages. 
EXTRACTS. 
HORTICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE. 
To Produce Onions of a large Size —When the beds are formed by the 
usual method, tramp them heavily, and roll them firmly. On this compact sur¬ 
face, sow the seed, and cover it at the usual depth with a rich compost. The 
bulbs, instead of sinking, will spread superficially to a good size, and ripen 
earlier. 
Irish Mode of obtaining early Cauliflowers. —Take your knife in one 
hand, and the plant when full grown in the other, cut upwards in a sloping di¬ 
rection, about two inches from the ground, till the blade reaches the middle of 
the stem. Then put a small bit of chip in the slit, to prevent the parts from 
uniting again, and raise the earth above the cut, pressing it very tightly round 
the plant, and treading it firmly to protect it from being broken by the wind. 
You may also make it more secure by tying the plant to a firm stake, or, which 
is still better, you may tie a strong shred of bass-mat round the wound, and thus 
secure the plant to a sufficient stake, which will make the raising of the earth 
unnecessary. By this method the plant will be ready for use seven or eight days 
sooner. Instead of lime, gypsum may be used with much better effect, not only 
in this, but in other garden operations. 
To have large Flowers on Spring Broccoli. —In the month of September, 
begin at one side of the Broccoli plot, and open a trench parallel to the planted 
row. Then take up the plants from that row, one by one, with a good ball to 
each, and if it be very large let it be reduced, and the roots trimmed. Let some 
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