Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-05-24
The Influence of Water on Vegetation.
ny WILLIAM SAUNDERS, BALTIMORE.


won't of plants? 2" l would unhesitatingly answer
the applicaton of water; and | believe the answer
would be endorsed by all whose experience and OBJ
servation makes their opinion worthy of notice
1t matters not what soil plant is growing inflow
it is situated with regard to temperature or light;
if negtigently unskilfully supplied with mos-
ture it cannot thrive; and feel warranted in say
ing that there are failures in plant cultivation,
occasoned by the improper of this liquid, than
by any other cause.
In treating matters relating to the cultivation
of plants it is difficult to lay down definite rules
that will suit all cases alike; neither will any
amount of explanatory information compensate lot
want of that discriminating knowledge obtained
through practice and experience. lhere Is aDuh-
dant proof of this in the many conflicting opinions
given upon the same subject by different persons
9oniri6ns which frequently appear Numerically
opposed to each other This partly arises from
the accommodating nature of plants, and the IN
finite notifications of the various agents by which
they are influenced rendering it extremely lmprob-
able for an single observation to be OF universal
application. \ further cause OF tins diversity OF
opinion may be found in the lucubratons OF those
who may be termed spectators in vegetable phys-
ologv-."who are apt to draw general conclusions
and raise axioms from every particular they meet
with" and seldom hesitate IN promulgatng their
ideas and investing their theories, however crude
they NAV be- with all the ''pomp and crcum-
stance of authenticated experiment.
The Importance of water to plants, and its influ
ence upon them may be readily conceived, when
it is known to form upwards of one-half of all
green vegetable matter, and serves as the means
of conveyance for all the nutritiye elements re-
quired for their food Mineral ingredients must
be in a state of solution mlnutely divided as
to be carried along with water, before they gain
admission into the roots of plants. 1t is also sup
posed that gaseous elements cannot be absorbed by
roots in their 9riform state, and are available only
when in solution with water.
Seeing that water is not only most important
agent in vegetation. but is more under subjec-
ton than any other it is evident that by its skilfu
application can, to great extent, regulate and
control the growth of plants 1t is true that light,
heat and air, are also essential agents. and their
cooperation Indispensable, but over the first of
these we have no control, and the latter under
subsection only in artificial atmoSphereS; but even
in Out-ofdoor culture, in fields and gardens 1t Is
possible, by draining and deep cultivation, to modi-
fy the injurious effects resulting either from excess
or deficiency of water. Our control this agent
enables Us to meet extremes in the others. By its
withdrawal at certain seasons, and treer appllca-
ton of it in others, induce different devel-
ODments and hasten or retard their termination at
will.
Our possession of this controlling influence is
practically of most Importance IN the cultivation OF
out of their natural seasons. Success in forcing
depends chiefly upon the previous preparation OF
the plants for that purpose: an early and thorough
ripeuing of the previous growth, with proper pc
rol of rest, absolutely Indispensable. This Is
effected by a gradual withdrawal of water. If
lessen the supply of water to growing plant,
Of course cut off the means whereby nourish
ment is conveyed into its system. Alkalies and
other inorganic substances held in solution, are
constantly conveyed to the plant with the water
absorbed by the roots; these cooperate with the
carbonc acid absorbed by the leaves in forming
new constituents of the plant. When water is
withheld from the roots this supply of mineral in
gradients is cut off; these then taken from the
plant ITSELF principally from the juices of the leaves,
which soon begin to change color and ultimately
fall off; while the substances by which they were
upheld are incorporated into woody fibre, or other
matters necessary for the structure of the plant.
(Lebig) And rest in plants is effected in one of
two ways; either by very considerable lowering
of temperature, or by degree of dryness under
which vegetation cannot be sustained" (Lnd-
Iev.)
The nhorescence of plants is increased by a
diminished supply of water while the buds are be-
ing formed; anything, indeed, that tends to check
luxuriance-so long the plant is IN healthy
state-s favorable for the production of flowers
The rudiments of flower buds bear a striking re-
sembance to leaf buds; they formed of the
same elements, and may be mutually transformed
into each other according to circumstances. Most
gardeners are aware that an over supply OF nour-
lshment has tendency to promote the develop
-ment of leaf instead of flower buds. Hence we
find fruit trees planted in rich, stimulating SOIL
make large development of leaves and branches
without producing any fruit. Taking that familiar
Towering plant, the CamelIia, illustration
during its growth it delights in a free supply of
moisture, both in soil and atmosphere; if these
conditions are kept up uninterruptedly after the
seasonal growth is completed, it will not form flower
buds, but Immediately start into second growth.
On the other hand, as soon the young shoots
are done growing, let the plant be placed in dry
er atmosphere and the supply of water to its roots
diminished, and almost every bud will be convert
el into flower bud.
The ripening of fruit is also accelerated by les
senlng the supply of water to the roots during this
process. This may readily be supposed, seeing
that 1t has the same organic connection with the
roots as the flowers and leaves. When in young,
green state, the fruit performs the same functions
as the leaves, absorbing carbonic acid and giving
OH oxygen, thus celebrating matter for itself SO
long as it remains of green color. Its principal
dependence for nourshment, however is from the
leaves. Fruit formed upon naked branches will
rarely npen to perfection without the assistance OF
leaves. Its intimate relation and dependence up
on the leaves renders it similarly affected by change
OF circumstances Zone of the most essential oil
the alterations which occur in fruits during ripen-
ing is the decomposition or dissipation of the water
that they attract from the stem A diminished