The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-07-22

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it certainly is required for the So
luton of other food substances,
as we'll as for maintaining the
proper physical condition of the
tissues. But there are few per-
sens who have any adequate idea
or the vast amount of water which Is
absorbed by plants from the soil. Even
those whose business is to teach what
is called Botany" in the schools rare
ly know what plants do in this re-
spect; and the same may be said or
those whose business is to grow plants,
to cultivate them, to manage soil and
surroundings so as to obtain the best
results for the labor bestowed. The
facts are remarkable, and may we'll
astonish all who become acquainted
with them. Believing that such &C
quaintance may be valuable to some
who may here gain an introduction,
the writer takes pleasure in perform"
ing the ceremony. In the first place, IL
may be stated that leaves in the ordl-
nary health state absorb little or no
water from the air. There has been
much difference of opinion upon this
point and even scientists have not
agreed upon it. Gardeners sprinkle
the leafy portions of plants with
water, and say that the revival which
takes place in willing leaves proves at
once that the water is absorbed. Not
unfrequently the statement is MADE
that field plants (such as maize) revive
at night by absorbing through the
leaves and stems the dew which is de-
posted upon them. Certainly W1lted
plants do recover their fresh and
healthful appearance when copiously
showered with water, though not
drop reaches the roots. Certainly
field of corn in dry time presents
conspicuous enough difference OF ap-
pea-ance in the middle of hot after
noon and the early morning after
dewey night. But do these things and
others like them show that leaves alb
sorb water? A little attention will
show that they do not. If the florist
will take plant whose leaves have
begun to droop on account of the want
of water. and will place it under a
glass vessel, he may soon see that,
without the addition of water at all,
the leaves become plump and assume
their proper positions, as when copi-
ously sprinkled. What can be the
meaning of this? After little time
water may be observed condensing
upon the inner surfaces of the glass,
in dew-like drops. The air within the
vessel becomes saturated with mois-
ture from some source, while the
dropping leaves are regaining their
turgidity. The fact is, that even from
these wilted leaves, while in the open
Gaping. If by any means this amount
is checked, the continuous supply from
the roots soon fills the leaf-cells and
restores their healthful condition.
When the plant is showered with
water, this IS exactly what takes place.
1t is true, experiments have proved
that leaves may and do absorb water
abundantly, when they are immersed
in the fluid, and it is also probably true
that some water may be absorbed by
wilted leaves fro n drops adhering to
their surfaces; but so far as concerns
the great and useful supply of water
to healthy vegetation, we may unhes-
itatingly conclude that leaves have
nothing to do with its absorption.
None of it Genes directly from the air.
Atmospheric dew, does not gain en-
trance to the tissues. The soil fur
nishes the water, and the roots take
it up. There is no other source nor
other organs for the work. If the
roots send up as much or more than
the leaves transpire, the latter con-
tinue turgid; if not, they wilt.-T. J,
Rurrill -,