MAY. 
97 
used. On inquiring the cause I was informed that Sunset was a bad grower 
and difficult to increase. I need hardly say my own experience of Sunset is 
the very opposite. I merely mention this case to show how often things are 
condemned for want of a little common fair play. There was no doubt in my 
mind that coddling and too much nursing had killed beautiful Sunset. Had the 
plants been put into beds of the compost recommended above, they would have 
grown and furnished abundance of cuttings, which strike as freely as common 
scarlets, if put into pots of very sandy soil and plunged in any warm south 
border from the middle of July to the middle of August. 
Cloth of Gold also grows nearly as freely as Tom Thumb when planted 
in good soil; but as, when it grows very freely, and especially towards the end 
of the season, it loses much of its golden colour, it is advisable not to plant 
it in too rich soil. The best plan of managing is to get good large plants for 
planting, and then to put them in pretty closely in beds of ordinary soil. They 
will not grow very freely in such beds, but will retain their fine golden colour 
all through the season. Beginners will often fall into mistakes which men of 
practical experience never commit. Attention to the foregoing very brief details 
at the present planting season will, I feel sure, produce very satisfactory results. 
Stour ton. M. Saul. 
THE INFLUENCE OF THE SUN ON PLANTS. 
My object at present is to notice the effects of the sun on plants ; for with¬ 
out the sun’s rays all the gardener’s art, knowledge, and care must be fruitless. 
Perhaps for me or any one else to try to explain how plants absorb the rays 
of light may be equally so. However, I may hazard an opinion that plants 
are affected by sunbeams through the pores of the leaves, and perhaps those of 
the tender shoots; and also that these beams are stored up, both in the roots 
and branches, and perform the chief work in the growth of these. Little do 
some think that the inflammable part of the fire is only sunbeams let loose, 
which were collected or imbibed by the trees of the antediluvian forests—so 
wisely have all things been ordered for the benefit of man. 
Neither animals nor plants can live long healthy without the influence of 
the sun. I am aware of what has been said respecting animals having been 
found in the dark depths of the sea, and likewise of some kinds of fishes with¬ 
out eyes, in dark waters in caverns. The existence of these seems at variance 
with the maxim that the sun gives “ life to all living,” for they may be healthy 
and may enjoy life, though always in darkness, whereas other animals are not 
so. Kean, the American voyager, mentions that his dogs became blind during 
the long dark winter in the arctic regions; but that might be the effects of 
disease, caused by the absence of the influence of the sun, for blind animals 
may be said to be always in darkness, yet have good health while surrounded 
with light and air. The same may in some measure be said of many kinds of 
tender plants in winter. Some plants, of course, are adapted to grow in the 
shade, while others require the full sun. The diversity of their habits may be 
owing to the difference of the pores of the leaves, which exhale matters not re¬ 
quired by the plant, and inhale nutriment, more or less, as they are affected by 
the light. Those acquainted with the early forcing of flowers and fruit know full 
well that a few hours of sunshine are worth more than as many days of dull 
weather, especially to Melons and Cucumbers : therefore I think the too common 
plan of shading them is wrong, except to a small extent when their roots have 
been disturbed, or when the plants are weak in consequence of the absence of 
sunshine. In both cases, the sap-vessels in the leaves do not receive a suffi¬ 
cient supply of juices from the roots, and it is hot sunshine that burns or scorches 
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