Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-05-24

those constantly saturated with moisture. wet
soil is truly cold one Where there is water, the
rays of heat penetrate very slowly; the more wa
ter the greater the evaporation, and evaporation
always produces cold.
Attention to these facts is of much Importance
to those having the managementsof garden house
plants during the winter. By preparatory treat
ment these can be Injured to bear degree or two
of frost without injury; and in weather it is
preferable to allow this falling off of the atmos.
phere rather than have recourse to high artificial
heat, which is often given to an amount not only
useless, but decidedly injurious. have frequent
ly allowed the thermometer to fall as low as $50
IN house containing not only an average collec-
ton of what are usually considered green house
plants, but also many that ordinarily receive hot
house treatment, as Zroras, Stephanotis, Eschy
nautilus, Gardeni0S, dc In a common wooden
frame sunk in the EARTH with no other protection
than that afforded by the glazed sash, and close
canvass cover elevated few inches from the glass;
have kept Verbenas Roses, Carnations, &c,
together with young plants of lettuces, and that
best of all flowers" the Cauliiower, although
thermometer in their immediate vicinity frequently
fell six and eight degrees below zero. These were
kept scrupulously dry-'dry dust" and care
fully excluded from clear sunlight for some days
after fine weather set in.
AS we become more familiar with the natural
habits of plants, and knowledge in the science of
cultivation increases it may be expected that a
large number of plants which are now considered
tender, will prove to be much harder than is gen
orally supposed 1t is fact that many of the
failures IN cultivation caused by a mistaken
eagerness to keep plants in artificial instead of
natural condition. In their native countries,
many of the plants cultivate in our lighthouses,
are subjected to extremes of temperature which
they cannot endure under ordinary artificial treat
ment. In Australia, for instance, such plants as
AcaciaS, Bouonias, NimosoS, Eucalypt, Hoveas,
Myopoviums, and others, which are generally con-
sldered to be susceptible of cold than these,
are found growing and Towering where the night
temperature falls many degrees below the freezing
point. No doubt this power of resisting cold is at
tributabe to the high, arid temperature to which
they had previously been subjected, evaporating
and solldifying the juices so as to bring the plant
into state OF comparative dryness. 1t is very
prevalent opinion that all tropical plants should be
kept IN a state of active vegetation. This opinion
is unfounded for there is no climate in the world
without its periodical seasons of excitement and
repose, regular summer and winter A
knowledge of the natural climate, soils and sta
tons of the plants we cultivate, is a desideratum
of the highest importance. Not only should we
be acquainted with the climate and physical condi-
ton of the atmosphere in the countries to which
they belong, but also the latitude at which they
are found. A plant growing upon bleak noun
tain side, where it can scarcely find root-hold on
the rocky surface, exposed to every change of
temperature, must require very different artificial
treatment from one located in valley, luxuriating
in the rich dispositions of the surrounding eeva-
tons, where free current of air rarely visits it.
There is a great want of authentic practically use
full information on this subject.
1t is questionable whether we do not, in our aim
at what is called high cultivation, sometimes over
step the simple means nature EMPLOYS for her pur-
poses. The closer we can initiate nature, the
more likelihood is there of success and though
there is much in nature that the wscst cannot I'M
derstand, there is also much that is Ineligible to
the most illterate VIM. SAUNDERS
Gardener to Jno. Hopkins, Esq
Clifton Park, Baltimore, Jan. 9Th, 81.
''NEw YORK, March, 18th 1851
DEAR FRIEND Il had more reasons than one to
regret leaving home at this time, and, if my pres
ent engagements were not of two seasons standing
| should have made every effort to relieve myself
For your Liberty meeting, l think it has certain
Importance ust now; and, really, at this moment,
it seems imperative that every lover of human
rights should, in every manner, singly socially,
in private and in public, by voice and by pen-and,
first of all, by substantial help and hospitality to
the slave, and defending him against his hunters,
enter his protest for humanity against the de-
testabe statute of the last Congress.
find it subject of conversation in all cars and
steamboats, and everywhere distributing society
into two classes, according to the moral sensbility
of individuals on one part, and their habitual do
clllty to party leading on the other do not know
how the majority of to-day will be found to de-
eide. Sometimes people of natural probity and
affection to be warped by the habit of party,
and show themselves so unexpectedly callous and
inhuman, that it seems must wait for the AL
mighty to create a new generation, little more
keenly alive to moral impressions, before any i'm
provement in institutions be looked for. But,
as far as have observed, there is, on all great
questions, tide undulation in the public mind
"a series of actions and reactions. The momen-
tary interest carries it to day; but, presently, the
advocates of the liberal principle are victorious
and the more entirely, because they had persisted
mistaken through evil report. And, as justice
alone satisfies everybody, they are sure to prevail
at last.
If the world has any reason in it, it is forever
safe and successful to urge the cause of love and
right know it is very needless to say this to you,
and others like you, who cannot, if they would,
| help serving the truth, though all the world be
gone to worship Mammon. But it is the only an
swer | know how to make to our mathematical
compatriots. So, wishing you day of happy
thoughts and sympathies on Thursday, remain,
Yours respectfully and gratefully
R. W. EMERSON
THE Truth OF H1sToRY.-The Northern and
Southern supporters of the Administration lay
great stress Cat the South) on the fugitive slave
bill-so that one would suppose it to be a Wing
measure-when in fact both of the Northern wings