The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-09-18
Agricultural,
[From !hc Southern Cultivator.1
The Kitchen Garden,


The Kitohon Garden.
Plants have, like animals. an assem-
blaGc of organs necessary for their
support--nomoly: mouths, lungs and
oxcretory ducts, Though devoid of
sensation, thcylposscss the power, to
q certain oxtcnt, OF selecting their
food from the soil, and this food, to
DC available, must be in o soluble
state. Tho old theory, that tho soil
itself was absorbed, has been proven
to be untrue. The roots of q plant
arc by far The most curious part of its
structure. They terminate in such
small liliamcnts as only to bo seen
when examined By tho aid Of y mi
croscopo. These arc the mouths Of
the plants. Water forms the medium
by which food enters tho plant, and
any substance which The watsr holds
III solution may pass in with it. In
this way plants receive their food, and
cannot receive anything which is not
dissolved IN water. But the roots
have another property which is as yet
unexplained. While they absorb
most substance dissolved in water,
there are somo which they refuse to
receive III their circulation, although
readily dissolved III water. Though
the roots have this power in some de-
groc, it is not universal for some
snbatanccs are absorbed which act as
roisons and rapidly destroy the plant
1T has been suggested that valuable
timber trees might be colorcd like
mahogany, ~ causing tiio roots to alb
sorb some coloring matter. 1t is very
generally known to our lady readers
that they can change the color of the
flowers Of The llydrangca, by tho ap-
plication OF coloring matter to the soil.
Most planters have observed how soon
the cotton plant becomes siokly and
rusts, in those soils that abound in sui
phatc of iron in excess.
AS we have seen the mouths Of
plants are at tho oxtrcmitics of tho
iino roots. 1T is important in culti-
Tation, to save as many of these as
possible, and furnish them with plenty
Of plant food. The Importance Of
thorough tillagc is wcll-known by
most farmers, though The reason for It
is not always understood. If the soil
is hard, the roots cannot penetrate it
in search of nourishmcut; Snor can it
be dissolved by water, unless it is re-
duccd to fine powder. Every per-
son has observed the different results,
when new grain has been tested in
Il highly cultivated garden, and the
same grain planted in the field, re-
cciving the usual poor cultivation
The carly promise is seldom realized.
Iicncc tho Importance of deep and
thorough preparation Of tho soil be-
fore the crop is planted, and contin-
ucd but shallow cultivation as the
roots extend.
The leaves arc to the plants what
tho lung arc to animals. During tho
day, ana under the influence Of LIGHT
and heat, the leaves absorb carbonic
acid which they dccomposc, using tho
carbon and giving of tho OXYGEN
During tho night, this process is re-
ycrscd. All persons have noticed tho
difference between tho uppor and the
under side Of leaf. Ono side absorbs
moisture from the atmosphere, while
from Tho other, evaporation takes
place. llcncc VIC sec how delicate the
balance Is between the roots and The
leaves, and Che inlpropricty of cutting
of large branches during summer.
Tho seeds planted last month, for
the renewal of vegetables, arc now
supposed TO be ur and growing rapid
~, under the stimulus Of heat and
moisture. Urge them on, by slightly
cu'tivating the soil noar tho plants,
and deeply at a distance, so as not to
injuro a singlcroot. Apply fertilizers
in liquid state, to tho soil, not on
the plant When applied in this man
ncr, it is wonderful tho rapidity of
growth and the productivcncss. ~
II the turnipS planted last month have
lal!cd to come up, or have been destroy.
cd by insects, plant again, selecting an
earlier variety. Sulphatc Of Lime scat
tered over the turnips while The dow is
on them, we have found of great service
IN driving off insects. The winter cab
baSc must be looked closely after, for
two kinds OF worms attack them during
this month, completely destroying them.
me only way to get rid Of them is to
pick them oil and destroy them. Ifa
leaf is broken off and laid on top OF the
cabbage in the morning, all the worms
are collected on tho umdcrsidc Of IT. for
protection from tho dew, and DO easily
KILLED. Would it not be easier to
drown the moths before they deposit
u. Their eggs? 1t ia q night nying miller.
lhis can be done by placing lamp in
large tub of watcr. The miIlcrs arc
attracted by the light, and fall in lie
water. Hundreds of boil worm mllcrs
have been destroyed i'll one night in tins
way.
COMING OUT.-Polk Watson cnlor.