Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-10-15
Miscellaneous.
From Ne Indiana Farmer.

vcrdure of plants is due to the influence of
the solar rays; Tor every one must have
observed the pale sickly appearance OF
grass which has been entirely secluded
from light; and the wlIitencss, and the
bIoalcd condition Of vegetables which have
spruutcG ia dark cellars. Light facilitates
the decomposition of the ascending sap, in
the leaves, causing The escape OF oxygen,
anu the deposit Of carbon in the plant.-
Thus carbon is supposed TO be the cause
OF the green color of he leaves, and if it is
not detached from The oxygen aud aque
Gus parts of the sap, the plant Will become
pale and dropsica'. Other things being
The same, the vertlurc of vegetation is
deepeuel in proportion to the quantity oil
light. But the solar beams have other re-
ma9kabie effects upon plants. They cou-
troll the stature oftrees and herbs, render
them more compact and determine lie d.
rec!ion of their growth. Plants 1--we
light; and they will change their course to
get into it. Many years ago, fastened
three boards together so as to form trough;
this | closed at ono end, aud inverted over
a potato, which had sproucd TO a consd'
cradle length. The box or trough was
several feet long, and was placed SO us to
admit light at either extremity of it, as
might be required. The potato was pla-
ced clJse TO the shut or darkencd end, and
left undis,urhed for number of days; The
vine was then found to have run nearly 10
the open or light end of the box. Without
disturbing the plant, closed this opening
and lei the ligh, in al The other end where
the pualo was; in a short time tile STEM
came travelling back in the opposite dIrec-
ton, and was allowed to reach the apar-
turc. The stem was thus drawn out to
an enormous length. and mi ght have been
elongated still more, ii the experiment
hal been continued. If the plant be an
erect one, aud light be admitted at the
top only the stem will run upward and
attain an extraordinary height. rccol-
lee, seeing "A tree in one Of the eastern cl-
ties, growing in contracted back yard
surrounded by walls three stories high: 1t
was fastened at intervals 10 one OF the
walls, and hal run up TO the top OF the
house. Not being able to recognize the
tree in that novel shape. the leaves beng
TOO high for mg vision, enquired of The
rosicul The uamr of his riae; he smiled
AMI replied. it is my psach tree"
How many gardeners cu;np!an that the
ra,Iishe; they intended for the table, arc
r.nniy. up to seed! How many plants
said 20 be ,iwaris, nccolnc asprants l"r the
SKI. in their grounds. \ little attention
% the influence Of light upon vegetation,
will correct the evil. II is true very
rich soil will also sometimes lcnS,heu the
s!ea,, and if i, be desirable To preserve
plan, dwariist, regard must of course
br paid to the condition of The soil; bul ]
conceive that the due regulation OF solar
linht is more important. Let any one s:. eX-
,xa1ninaSzi4ea n n TlTcci ravS of The
sun, Tor perhaps halt the day have not nc
cess 20 them; the plant therefore On the cast
silc of fence, or Of tall vegetation. has
70 act somcwha, like iii animal, aud raise
its head above the obstacle tn src the sun
set. We often see tomato plants en-
croaching upon the slrtcnwalks, when
il was supposed they were sci sufficiently
re,na,e to prevent this Inconvenience: il
will generally br found in these cases that
thew are shaded in other directions, and
have no induccmeut 10 gr0w where they
cannot be exposed 10 is saiularv influence.
Caabagcs sometimes ohstinaieIv refuse TO
head; uol hcing plen,ifuIIy provided with
light, it requires The fall cxpanson Of every
leaf TO appropriate what there is TO The
best advantage; nDt 20 the best advantage
to man. bur To The vegetable. When li.h,
is abundant, few OF the outer lcavo- are
developed and supply the watts oi ihr
plant, ,hc services Of the offers not being
needed arc allowed TO fold up together
an,; lprm Il head.
There is nn doubt, other cases co-opc-
rate 70 produce these undesirable effects
upon vegetation, bui the exclusion oflicht
will be found 10 be the chief, and some
instances, the only cause. In wet, cloudy
season dwarf pea vines will become great
runners, and the marrowi;lt, aud other tall
kinds ofpaas will aspire still higher; in this
1.-The excessive moisture probably cxcrls
au influence in CONJUNCTION with absence of
sunicicu, light, on the growth of the plants.
If therefore we wish 10 cultivate dwarf
vegetables; if we wish 10 mature fruit or
ripen seed; if we desire 10 render plants
pact, aud consolidate theirstalks or trunks;
il we propose to condnc vegetable with
in certain limits; in word, five desire TO
produce healthy growth, it is only nec-
ossary to give tho plant due quantity of
light. Set The seed parsnips, bcets, and
other roots in the middle of the garden,
instead of by shady fence sides, or in The
midst of tall vegetation. AL herbs too,
such as sage, balm, and savory. arc inn
proved in flavor by abundant light: our
most fragrant, and spicy vegetable pro-
ducts are obtained from highly iliumina-
ted latitudes: as cinnamon, rutmegs,
cloves, and cardamom.
Light produces pale or deep green ac-
cordins TO The quantity of nutri,nent fur
nisheI the miami. hence We sometimes coo