REMARKS ON SOME VEGETABLE PHENOMENA. 
303 
from the atmosphere can so far subside in the cellular and vascular 
structure as to nourish and enlarge the inferior or lower parts of the 
plant ? 
That suitable and abundant supplies of vegetable food in the soil, 
quickens as well as strengthens all herbaceous plants, is as obvious as 
any other fact concerning them. The same may be said of shrubs and 
trees: for so long as water is present, in which the other bodies 
necessary to growth are held in solution, the plant increases in size; 
but when the moisture of the soil is exhaled away, the plant withers 
and dies. Here, indeed, we do not perceive that plants liable to such 
casualty are provided with inlets to imbibe sufficient nourishment from 
the air, to prevent them dying for want of water at their roots. But 
with respect to the different tribes of plants first adverted to in these 
remarks, the case is quite dissimilar ; for among them we see that they 
derive the principal if not the whole of their food from the air, or rather 
from the constituents of the atmosphere. This being admitted, we may 
rationally suppose that accumulations of nutrition are formed in the 
superior parts of the plant, and that it is somehow conveyed to the 
lower members. 
It is not easy to conceive how imponderous fluids can sink in the 
vascular organisation of plants; but it is highly probable that heavy 
fluids descend as well as ascend in the tubular and cellular structure. 
If more water be absorbed by the leaves than by the roots, it is quite 
possible that an equilibrium will be maintained by the excess above 
sinking to the empty vessels below. A piece of sponge may be 
completely saturated by water, whether the latter be admitted by the 
base, or dropped upon the top or upon the side. And if in the plants 
alluded to, or in others, any thing like a descending current be gene¬ 
rated, may not this be the cause of the downward processes before 
described ? not that any kind of fluid in a plant can be transformed 
into bark or wood, or any other part of the organic structure, but as 
a distending constituent only. 
The above remarks and observations are stated with a view to call 
attention to the subject: the inferences must be considered in the light 
of interrogatories, rather than assertions, because we have many things 
yet to learn concerning vegetable phenomena; and it is desirable that 
every part connected with this branch of horticultural science, should 
receive frequent discussion and unceasing attention, especially from 
those practically engaged in the culture of plants. 
Mode of preserving grain. —It is indispensably necessary to have 
the sheaves bound in a tight close manner, not too large, which is easily 
done by placing the knee firm on the sheaf when the band is drawn. 
