Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-10-05
Helena, Montana, Thursday, October 5, 1882.
Growing Plants Without the Aid Of
Earth.
IGood Words. I

Good Words
i During the two years since M Dumesnil
perfected his discovery, he has had all kinds
of ordinary flowers blooming in baskets con-
/ tanning 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 dec
crate his rooms with a freedom impossible
with plants growing in earth. Thus while
nature outside lay frozen and dead, the in
terror of his house has been a blooming par
terre. The practice of adOrning rooms with
plants is so agreeable a one that few per-
sons like to be told it may prove a source OF
disease. A Russian lady suffering from in
termlttent fever was attended by Prof Ed
ward Won Eichwald, of ST. Petersburg. The
disease readily gave way to quinine, but re-
turned again and again in the most inexpli-
cable manner. At last the cause was discov-
! cred. When she left her sick room GONZALES
cent she went into the salon, large room
filled with plants. Professor Won Eichwald
ordered the room to be entirely cleared, and
the fever returned no more. Such malignant
effects are impossible with the fertilizing
moss. 1t cannot turn sour like earth and poi
son the plants, or contain germs of malaria
and poison their owner The extraordinary
way in which the discovery will develop the
artistic character of floral decoration, in the
facilities it will afford to all kinds of ar
rangements and effects in color can only as
yet be family imagined. Churches, terraces,
and even public roads will by it's help be
far more healthfully and rapidly decorated
for the great obstacle of weight in the re-
moval of plants will be obviated-there will
be scarcely anything to carry but the plant
itself, so that in the majority of cases a
childs strength will suffice to remove the
wicket-basket in which the plant will be
living There appear to be no practical diff
culties in carrying 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
proximity with the fertilizing moss. In tax
ing plant from the earth, M Dumesnil re-
moves the mold about the roots by placing
it in slightly tepid water Having prepared
in the basket or vase intended for the plant,
bed Of tertilizing moss, the quantity being
regulated according to the strength of the
plant, he places it over a layer of ordinary
moss, covering the whole with another layer
OF the tertilizing moss A little water is
given at first, and the moss always kept
slightly humid. If 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
70 otlets it throws out.
Other gardeners besides NJ Dumesnil have
tested the process and witness to the same
results. NJ. Cabos, director of the public
gardens at Havre, has since the 22d of last
,har hoo,, ;, +l,o4 III,
moss dracfeni, althernatheri, crotons and
as palm trees, cham9rops, and the Pteris
Arguta had developed numerous new roots
in the moss. None of these plants had lost a
single 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 young palm
tree. The old roots had developed a guam
tity of fine rootlets. The Cocos binoti and
the various kinds of dracana, all very deli
cate, had also produced new roots, and were
in perfect health. On December 9th he sub
mitted 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 hap
pened On the 18th he placed in the fertil
zing moss Eucalyptus globulus. This
shrub has the reputation of not bearing trans
plantation; however, it scarcely faded. Two
Cuphea bazli, equally difficult subjects, were
put into the moss on the same day, and gave
40 appearance of suffering from the change. |
The culture in moss of the Eucalyptus globu-
us is the more important, as this celebrated |
shrub has the property of disinfecting the
air, and is beginning to be used in sick rooms.
It will be observed that these perfect results
nave been obtained by practiced horticul-
urists. Amateurs must not expect that |
process in any way dispenses with attention
o the ordinary laws of vegetable life. Happy
'esults will depend as heretofore on the de-
,ree to which the plants are loved and cared
or. The object in the cultivation of veget
bles being increased and regular produc-
iveness the plan adopted by the gardener
# Vasc9uil is to place their roots, enveloped
Is above described, in an ordinary bed of
mold. The results are most satisfactory. We
aw at Vasc9uil as many as thirty fine pOta-
oes the produce of one mother-tuber. Thus
he poorest land may be made to TEEN with
ich crops, the soil being of no importance,
he earth merely affording room and shelter
or the plants. Seedlings and cuttings are
aised in the same way. In fact the process
GEMS to have all the characteristics of a
,reat discovery, perfection in principle and
Indefinite power of further development.