Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-07-08
GROWING PLANTS WITHOUT THE AID
OF EARTH

istry as amides.
GROWING PLANTS WITHOUT THE AID
OF EARTH
During the two winters since NJ Dunes
nil perfected his discovery, he has had all
kinds of ordinary flowers blooming in bas.
kets containing the fertilizing moss. On
the occasion of any fete, as for instance
Christmas, his tables have been covered
with profusion of spring flowers, and he
has been able to decorate his rooms with
freedom impossible with plants growing in
earth. Thus, while nature outside lay
frozen and dead, the interior of his house
has been blooming parterre. The prac-
tice of adjoining rooms with plants is so
agreeable a one that few persons like to be
told it may prove source OF disease. A
Russian lady suffering from intermittent
fever was attended by Professor Edward
Won Eichwald, of St. Petersburg. The
disease readily gave way to quinine, but
returned again and again in the most mex
plicable manner. At last the cause was
discovered. When she left her sick.room
convalescent she went into the salon,
large room filed with plants. Pro-
lessor Won Eichwald ordered the room
to be entirely cleared, and the fever
returned no more. Such malignant
effects are impossible with the fertiGzing
moss. 1t cannot turn sour like earth and
poison the plants, or contain germs of ma
laria and poison their owner. The extra
ordinary way in which the discovery will
develop the artistic character of floral
decoration, in the facilities it will afford to
all kinds of arrangements and effects in
color, can only as yet be family imagined.
Churches, terraces, and even public roads
will by its help be far more beautifully and
rapidly decorated for the great obstacle of
weight IN the removal of plants will be OBJ
viated-there will be scarcely anything to
carry but the plant itself, so that in the
majority of cases child's strength will
suffice to remove the wicker basket in
which the plant will be living. There ap-
pear to be no practical difficulties in carry
ing out the process. The one all-important
point is to preserve the roots of the plant
from being torn or otherwise mutilated,
and from being brought into close prox-
unity with the fertilizing moss. In
taking a plant from the earth, NJ.
Dumesnil removes the mold about the
roots by placing it in slightly tepid water.
Having prepared in the basket or vase in.
tended for the plant, a bed OF fertilizing
moss, the quantity being regulated accord
ing to the strength of the plant, he places
over it layer of ordinary moss of similar
thickness. He then takes the plant, and,
spreading out the roots, fastens it in the
ordinary moss, covering the whole with
another layer OF the fertillzing moss. A
little water is given at first, and the moss
always kept slightly humid. II the change
from the earth to the moss is made with
intelligence, the plant soon exhibits all the
beauty and freedom OF life, its satisfaction
in its new conditions being shown by the
quantity OF rootlets it throws out. Other
gardeners besides M. Dumesnil have tested
the process and witness to the same re.
suits. NJ. Cabos, Director of the public
gardens at Havre, has, since the 22d of
November last, been eultivatiug in the
fertilizing moss draceni, alternantheri,
crotons and cocoanut trees. all hot.
house plants, as well as palm trees,
chamerops, and the Pteris Arguta had
developed numerous new roots in the
moss. None of these plants had lost sin
gle leaf, nor had even faded at the time of
their transportation. In fortnight they
had completely taken possession OF the
moss. and had thrown out new leaves. In
the chamerops, two or three long roots of
the thickness of quill had appeared, one
of the best indications of the vigor of a
young palm tree The old roots had de-
veloped quantity OF fine rootlets. The
Cocos binoti and the various kinds of dra-
c;ena, all very delicate, had also produced
new roots, and were in perfect health. Oh
December 9th he submitted a number of
ordinary greenhouse plants to the process,
with complete success. All the plants
preserved their vigor, and their health
continued as if nothing had happened. On
the 18th he placed in the fertilizing moss
Eucalyptus globulus. This shrub has
the reputation of not bearing trsnsplanta-
ton however, it scarcely faded. Two
Cuphea bazli, equally difficult subjects,
were put into the moss on the same day,
and gave no appearance OF suffering from
the change. The culture in moss of the
Eucalyptus glooulus is the more important,
as this celebrated shrub has the property of
disinfecting the air, and is beginning to be
used in sick.room 1t will be observed
that these perfect results have been OBJ.
tanned by practiced horticulsurists. Anna
teurs must not expect that process in any
way dispensss with attention to the ordin.
airy laws of vegetable life. Happy results
will depend as heretofore on the degree to
which the plants are loved and cared for.
The object in the cultivation of vegetables
being increased and regular productiveness,
the plan adopted by the gardener OF Vas
ece1il is TO place their roots, enveloped as
above described, in an ordinary bed of
mold. The results are most satisfactory.
We saw at Vascpuil as many as thirty
fine potatoes the produce of one mother
tuber. Thus the poorest land may be
made to TEEN with rich crops, the soil be-
ing of no Importance, the earth merely
affording room and shelter for the plants.
Seedlings and cutting are raised in the same
way. In fact, the process seems to have
all the characteristics OF great discovery
perfection in principle and indefinite pow
ers of further development. -[Good Words.