, 1864-07-25
The Phenomena of Vegetation.
TFrom the N. Y. Weekly World.

the philosopher anu Tue StuueHJ VI HdIufcs
1t is full of beauty and interest," and won.
derfully illustrates the wise economy Of
Providence in the operations Of the natural
creation.
The tcnacity of life in the vegetable
principle of plants and seeds can hardly be
understood or explained. 1t is stated, with
apparent authenticity, that seeds and bulbs
taken from the mummies Of Egypt have
terminated after a repose of many centur-
les. 1 saw it recently asserted, that on
the site of an old Roman station in Scot.
land, now first broken up since its early
occupation, oats Of unknown varieties ap.
peared in abundance. find it difficult to
credit this statement, for it seems impossi-
bic that the kernels of any cultivated grain
could be deposited so long in the earth
without decomposition. We know, how
ever, that upon fields which had been in
tested by mullins and other similar plants,
and abandoned for many years, when again
broken up this vegetation appears with
augmented vigor and abundance. This
fact indicates that the seeds of these plants
have laid dormant in the soil for this long
period, and, being exposed to the influence
Of heat and air, are vivified and vegetate.
These incidents in nature, although beau
tiful and impressive, have not the bearing
upon practical science in agriculture that
some other phenomena exert. The changes
in the elements of the earth produced by
culture and the chem cal agency Of light,
air, and heat upon soils, as manifested in
the spontaneous production Of entirely new
plants, involve the consideration Of some
Of the first principles Of tillagO.
Every intelligent farmer has witnessed
these changes in his own fields, If he has
occupied them BY a succession Of the same
crops. A rapid decrease in the product of
these crops will occur, unless the peculiar
element which is their special nutriment is
maintained by ample artificial appliances.
This will appear, although in rotation Of
crops it will be evident that for the pro-
ductiOn Of another plant the native fertility
of the land is uuimpaired. These facts are
established by the history Of whole sec
tons of country. Vermont affords strik-
ing illustration. Sixty years ago it was
the great wheat-growing district Of the
East. For nearly quarter Of century
the wheat culture was abandoned in that
state. The prevalence Of insects had some
connection with the change; but the cause
TO which have referred was recognized as
the radical difficulty. The Geuesce valley,
it Is conceded, gradually loses its eminent
reputation as Q wheat-produeing region.
These causes will doubtless produce similar
results in the cxuberant soils Of the West.
Philosophy and science will readily trace
theseehects to their origin, and they may be
arrested by wise and appropriate husban-
dry.
The effects produced by the influence Of
the elements and the draining Of moist
land, in stimulating the growth Of new
class Of vegetation, and in imparting ab-
normal qualities to the soil, arc among the
most striking and beautiful phenomena Of
vegetable physiology. These results are
the most common and perceptihle In new
districts Of country. The same classes Of
trees which composed the original forest
rarely appear In the second growth. Those
which, like the chestnut, start from the
stump, are exceptional. II pines, exclu-
sively occupying tract Of land, are cut
of, Q large proportion Of the growth that
succeeds will be birch, oak, and poplar,
and that family Of trees. Let hardwood
forest be removed, and almost uniformly
the second growth will be formed Of pines
and other s0it-wood trees.
Tn fact Is singularly revealed amid tho
wilds Of the Adirondacs IN my own coun.
try. Tho massive and gigantic forests Of
hardwood, which form hundreds Of acres,
having been destroyed In eoaling, and aban-
doned to the processes Of nature, are now
almost entirely covered by . diminutive
growth Of the red cherry.
Another circumstance attracts the atten-
ton Of the occupant Of every new terri
tory. If an area has been opened in the
forest, no matter how far removed from
cultivated lands. and protected from an
overpowering growth Of bushes and rank
vegelati0n, soon the delicate white clover
win appear and rapidly form rich and
firm mantle over the surface. This springs
spontaneously from the earth by an effort
Of nature, with which art has no connection.
A still more remarkable result Is exhibited
VI tuo oltc VI ulu4u uc4F4 uuEut VI Tue
process Of clearing new lands. All who
have noticed these fires are aware Of the
intensity Of the heat they prOduee-so In
tense that Il must destroy, not only all
veeetat on, but every seed, germ, and root
contained in the soil. Yea another season
or two win disclose fresh growth and to.
tally dissimilar in the species Of plants to
those which preceded IL starting amid the
ashes Of these fires. A significant fact L
revealed in the uniformity Of tho plants
which appear; Is II the same causes every.
where worked out In nature similar results.
The ire-woed (as Il Is named BY the pio.
neer) the thistle, and especially The sumac,
always start up on these spots.
Although not entirely analogous to the
cases we have noticed, tho transformation
in the qualities OF land created BY draining
furnishes another e-idence Of the influence
Of the air and sun upon tho soil; but when
this is extracted the fermentation Of Light,
air, and heat imparts new properties 10 The
soil. The effect Is manifested by the total
change in the character Of its vegetation.
These data are indisputablei What then
causes the phenomenal Ny conclusions
are very simple and obvious. In the FIRST
instances advanccd-the heavy fbrosts
srI,feh oScl,,dad sha fu0,,ovn. - a.. -