Southern planter : devoted to agriculture, horticulture, and the ...

428- THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.
satian and conversion into the grain. But
the leaves which jdigest the food for the
grain are above it, and it irf while passing
downward that the chani^e takes place. If
the stalk be cut above the ear, nourishment
is at an end—the corn may become firm
and dry, but it will not increase in quantity;
while if cut near the root, it not only
appropriates the tap already in the plant,
but it also absorbs additional matter from
the atmosphere, which contributes to its
weight and perfection."
In the above capital remarks -^veiind only one
thing to except to. It seems to be inferred
that the depth and tilth of a given soil
being sufficient, it is injurious ever to break
the roots, and corn and cabbages are given in
proof of the inexpediency of cutting the roots.
Mow it is true, v^^e think, that if the roots of
the plant are disturbed vehen the plant is fruc-
tifying, injury is done thereby to the product;
but while the plant is young, we think that
with some sorts, breaking the roots is a decided '
advantage. Thus the cabbage is always larger i
and better if "pricked out." before it is
transplanted i. e., if it is transplanted, and
as soon as it begins to grow, transplant-
ed again. Again, in the case of tobacco,!
every planter knows that when his plants are
spindling, and the leaf narrow, that a close
coultering, which runs so nearly under the
roots, that the plants shake as the coulter
passes under them and the leaves wilt directly
after that, a much more vigorous growth with
a broader development of leaf follows immediately—and
the effect is equal to a good ma-
nuring. It is with cabbages likewise.
With corn, especially when the tendency is
to run to stalk, a ploughing at the proper time,
say when the corn is from knee to waist high,
that gives a deep tilth and necessarily breaks the
roots, causes it to throw out more roots, and to
change its habit of growth to the manifest bene-
fit of the ear.
Whether it be that there is a .tendency
in every plant where vitality is impaired to
reproduce itself more quickly, on the principle
of " a poor man for children," we do not pre-
tend to say, though that is the theory of an
eminent Freoch Physiologist. But the fact is
indisputable, and is judiciously acted on by
both the gardener and the farmer. Ed. So.
Planter.