14 
employments. ‘To deprive a fine tree or vigorous plant 
of its leaves and branches, those curious laboratories 
by which its great vital operations are effected—with 
violence to tear its no less curiously formed roots and 
delicate spongioles, and then bid it grow in undimin- 
ished strength, for a long time obtained among us, 
and too many there are yet who lend a deaf ear to 
any other doctrine. With what absurd theories do 
we not daily meet, in regard to the functions of the 
sap, and the part it performs in the vegetable econ- 
omy! What amazing errors are transmitted, with 
faithful care, from generation to generation, respect- 
ing the influence of this or that plant, insect or an- 
imal! How little is known of the true theory of 
nutritious substances to the living plant, and of the 
manner of their operations! What mistakes occur 
from some false theory originating in prejudice! How 
many are there, who can refer to first causes the 
occurrence of the insidious mildew, or the rapidly 
destructive blight, spreading like a baneful fire over 
the fairest productions of the garden! How many 
questions, which some strange development of fruit 
and flower call up, are still unanswerable! What is 
known of the secretory and excretory functions of 
plants, and their influence on vegetation? Nor is it 
necessary to multiply examples or adduce illustra- 
tions ; they are familiar to every scientific cultivator. 
It may, perhaps, be improper to speak of the ad- 
vantages, which have arisen from the past labors of 
this Society in the promotion of horticultural knowl- 
edge. Let rather its deeds proclaim its due praise. 
But, connected with one of its primary objects should 
