The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-05-25
HOW DO PLANTS GROW,

Vegetable physiology teaches us that
every seed contains within itself the en-
bryo of new plant, &C., in some varie-
ties so perfect that a microscope discloses
it all complete, while in Others it is less
distinct. The germ lies imbedded in the
mass of the seed surrounded by a sub
stance well calculated to protect and pre-
serveit. Wrapped in its envelop the en-
bryo remains at the disposal OF external
agents. When exposed to the joint action
of moisture, air, and requisite degree of
heat, it absorbs water and oxygen, swells
in bulk, chemical action begins, carbonic
acid is given off, its temperature rises. a
new substance is formed, being kind of
ferment and possesses the power of con-
verting starch into sugar. tits formed at
the points where the nourishment passes
into the germ, and thus prepared, is car
ried into the embryo, which expands =
one part the radicle shooting downwards
to form the root, the other, the pul-mule,
extends upwards, forming the top or
branches. The growth up to this time
has taken place at the expense of material
stored up in the seed. The root has the
power of absorbing nourishment from the
soil, but the plant has not the power OF
appropriatng it to its use until the pul.
mule rises above the surface ofthe ground
and a leaf is formed, by which carbonic
acid is absorbed from the air, and is then
decomrosed, the carbon being retained
for the use of the plant and the oxygen
returned to the air. Water containing
gaseous and mineral substances is absorb
ed by the roots and carried upward by the
leaf; by the circulating sap, and is there
decomposed, the water being evaporated,
and the other substances retained for the
use of the plant. This goes forward in
the day time with great rapidity. Hales
found that Sunaower weighing 3 lbs, ex'
haIed 80 o., in day. "These orifces
have valve like action, by which the a
mount of evaporation is regulated, ex
banding when the hesupply of water is large
and contracting when it is small.
Thus we see how necessary to the
growth and development, is the leaf
What the lungs are to the animal world,
the leaf is to the vegetable. A plant de-
prived of its leaves for any length of time
will die. The relation of the vegetable
and animal world are so nice that one
could not do without the other. Animals
inhae air, absorb its oxygen and return
carbonic acid Plants inhale air, absorb
its carbon and return oxygen. Thus the
action of one nicely balances that of the
other Thus few gases, with small
amount of mineral matter, by changes pro
duced by chemical action, produce all the
changes that we see going on around US
Now what may we gain by knowing
these chemical facts =? We see that all the
food of plants can be taken only in liquid
or aereform state, and that The better we
pulverze the soil the more we assist ma
ture in her operations. The deeper We
pulverize the soil the better the plant will
stand the changes of wet and dry without
loss to itself. Would we succeed in oul
agricultural operations we must work in
accordance with natural laws, ever re.
membering that they are fixed, and tha
cause will produce effect, and in order tt
work with them we must know what they
are. Here then is a subject for study,
S. TENHY.