Domestic Economy.

VEGETABLE LIFE.

product of vital action, and has never been formed by artificial means.

The first change effected by plants, is to convert carbonic acid and water, under the influence of light, into starch and similar forms of organic matter; the second operation is to form these substances into the various cells and tubes which compose the structure of plants. The former is a purely chemical operation; the latter requires something more, namely, the exertion of vital power.

As starch, though it is easily convertible into other substances under the influence of a ferment, is nevertheless one of the most stable of all the products which a plant forms; so it is also that one best fitted to serve as nutrition to a young plant, and is the substance always prepared in plants, to act as a store of nutriment for any future growth. Whenever a growing point or embryo is formed, a quantity of starch also is, at the same time, deposited.

N the first period of vegetation, when a seed has been placed in the conditions requisite to germination, the embryo plant has no power of obtaining food for itself, either from the air or the soil; it is entirely dependent on the seed for a supply of those matters which are Thus starch is found in all seeds and buds, as necessary to its growth. A seed, then, is a well in those which are formed on underground magazine, or store of food, prepared for the use stems and tubers, as in those which are formed of the young plant; and accordingly a large at the extremities of the branches. Whenever quantity of the matters secreted by a plant, are an embryo or point of growth begins to develop, necessarily employed in the formation of seed. the chemical action, in the first instance, is the In the case of all plants which shed their same. The azotised matter begins to change, leaves annually, at the end of the season buds diastase or some similar substance is generated; are formed. In some respects these resemble this acts on the store of starch, and sugar and seeds; they consist of growing points, surrounded by small scales, which in time would develop into branches and leaves; but they are closely wrapped up in several layers of a brown scaly matter, which protect them during the winter from the action of cold and other injurious influences.

other soluble principles are formed. For this reason all kinds of tubers, such as potatoes, for example, become sweet as soon as the eyes or buds begin to grow; it is an effect similar to the malting of grain.

The embryo of a seed possesses vitality, but has no power, at first, of assimilating the elements of organic matter directly from the air; it is, therefore, able to convert starch, gluten, and other proximate principles, into organized matter, and consequently grows and increases in size, by feeding on the store of organic matter prepared for its use in the seed.

When spring comes on and the weather is milder, the buds undergo a chemical change a good deal resembling germination. It frequently happens that the buds open before the winter is really over, or that there is a return of cold weather, which kills them, and thus gives the tree a very material check. Buds may be The means provided to insure the reproducformed at any time during the year; but they tion of plants, are very various. In some plants, are, generally speaking, and of course with the seed only is formed; whilst in others we observe exception of flower-buds, formed only at the end tubers or collections of food, prepared and preof the year, and at the time when the leaves fall served in underground receptacles, for the nouroff. In cold and uncertain seasons it is com-ishment of the young plants of the next season. mon, however, to see two or even more sets of buds formed in the same year.

Many plants, such as wheat, barley, beans, &c., form seeds which consist merely of an embryo, There is a great distinction between organic or growing body, surrounded with a supply of and organized matter. The former term sig- organic food sufficient for the use of the young nifies, as has already been explained, sugar, plant until it has grown large enough to feed starch, or similar compounds: whilst by the itself. The seeds of other plants are more comlatter name is meant the cellular and fibrous plete, being surrounded with an additional parts of plants. The chemist may by artificial quantity of organic matter, which, by decaying, means readily make some forms of organic insures to the roots and leaves of the young matter, and convert them into others; but he plant, a due supply of gaseous food as soon as can not make organized matter; the latter is a it is able to feed itself by those organs.

The seeds of all plants which bear fruit, are of this kind. When a peach, for example, falls from the tree which produced it, the soft pulpy matter of the fruit soon decomposes, and by the time that the seed begins to germinate, the fruit is wholly converted into humus; hence the roots of the young plant are placed in a soil rich in carbonic acid, as soon as it is possible for them to absorb it.

find that the plant has taken up the two salts in very different proportions; perhaps half of the one salt has been absorbed, but only one-third of the other.

The quantity of inorganic matter found in plants is various at different periods of their growth. In general, young plants contain a larger proportion than old ones; and as seeds contain a supply of all that young plants require, During the whole existence of a plant, from a quantity of these salts is necessary for the the formation of its first leaves till its death, it ripening of seed; hence plants require a large is constantly absorbing moisture from the soil supply of inorganic matter from the soil, during through the roots, and las constantly parting the third period of their existence, or during with it by the leaves. The water thus col- the formation of seed. lected from the soil contains carbonic acid, These are, in very general terms, the condiammonia, and such saline matters as are present in the soil. If the leaves of the plant are exposed to the action of light, the carbonic acid and ammonia are decomposed, together with a portion of the water, and organic matter is formed.

tions requisite to the growth of plants; but thero are many special conditions appropriate to particular species, and many important circumstances, which must not be overlooked in studying the chemistry of vegetation. The differences of climate, and their influence on the During the night, or in the absence of light, growth of plants, are not less remarkable than this change takes place but imperfectly; and those of the soil itself; and, indeed, the very hence, then, the water absorbed by the roots, same soil would possess a very different degree which is still given off by the leaves, carries of fertility in different climates. with it a considerable portion of the gaseous matter collected from the soil.

In the hot moist regions of the tropics, plants grow with far more rapidity, and vegetation is more vigorous, than in temperate regions. In tropical countries, decay proceeds far more rapidly than it does in our own country': carbonic acid and ammonia, the food of plants, are produced in greater quantity than here; whilst, from the greater power of the sun, plants are able to assimilate more of those substances than they can in colder countries.

The exact office in the nutrition of plants, performed by the saline substances they absorb, is as yet but imperfectly known. Some plants appear to require particular substances, and it is known that certain substances can not be formed by plants, unless the soil contains particular saline matters. All plants contain more or less lime, as well as other bases, such as potash and soda; these, of course, are never in The same circumstances which are favorable the pure state, but combined either with organic to the putrefaction of organic matters, are likeor inorganic acids, or else with chlorine. Albu- wise those which facilitate the decomposition of men, gluten, caseine, and fibrin, are always inorganic compounds in the soil. Consequently, found to contain a small quantity of certain in warm tropical climates, a more copious supphosphates, particularly those of lime and mag-ply of the requisite earthy matters is continually nesia; hence these substances appear to be being set free, ready to be absorbed by the essential to the formation of those principles in plants; proportionate, in fact, to the augmented plants. vigor of the vegetation.

It is not known whether plants have any power of selection by their roots; that is to say, whether they are able to absorb from the soil only those substances which they require, or whether they absorb all the soluble matters present in it. To a certain extent, they seem to have some power of selection, but at the same they are very frequently injured by the absorption of poisonous matters from the soil.

Hence, in endeavoring to introduce into one country the plants of another, it is necessary to consider the conditions under which they naturally grow; and care must be taken to imitate as closely as possible those conditions, not merely as regards soil, but likewise in respect to temperature, moisture, and light. These, however, are practical matters, into which it is unnecessary here to enter.

When the roots of a healthy young plant are In the last stage of the existence of a plant, plunged into a vessel containing water, in which or when, either from excessive cold, disease, or two different saline substances are dissolved in merely old age, the vitality becomes extinct, all equal proportions, the plant will not take up that curious series of changes by which organic both salts in similar quantity. If, after contin- matters are generated under the influence of uing this experiment some days, we then evap-light in the cells of plants, ceases; decay comorate the remainder of the solution, we shall mences, the organic compounds of the plant be

gin to decompose, and their elements rearrange As has already been observed, plants are conthemselves into simpler forms. The greater stantly employed in preserving the purity of the part of the hydrogen combines with oxygen, and atmosphere; they feed on the foul or vitiated is gradually given off in the state of water; the air produced by respiration, combustion, and nitrogen and hydrogen combine, and form am- decay; and their vigor and luxuriance are always monia; whilst the carbon is slowly dissipated in in proportion to the impurity of the air. It the air in the state of carbonic acid, and at last must, however, be clearly understood, that there little remains beside mould, or charcoal in com- is a limit to the quantity of carbonic acid plants bination with a small quantity of oxygen and are able to decompose; an excess would kill hydrogen, and the insoluble earthy matters them; whilst, if there were none of it in the which the plant may have contained. air, they could not live. The vegetation of the whole globe is just enough to keep the air in a uniform state of purity.-Solly.

THE PORTABLE GREENHOUSE.

A plant dies, when, at the end of the season, it has passed through the various stages of its existence, fulfilled the office for which it was created, and formed seeds or reproductive particles, which will insure a fresh growth of the same kind of plant next year; after this, vitality gradually declines in energy, the formation The variety of plants that may be cultivated of fresh organic matter ceases, and that already in an apartment is greatly increased, when, informed begins to decompose. stead of ornamenting the stand of the parlor In following out the chemical changes which with a large basket filled with an assortment of occur during the life of a plant, we find all dwarf succulent plants, the same spot is devoted throughout, that there is a constant struggle to a portable greenhouse. Greenhouses of this going on between vital force and the ordinary kind may, as well as flower-stands, be ornachemical affinities of the elements of vegetable mented externally in any manner conformable matter. The influence of vital energy tends to to the style of the rest of the furniture. This form complex combinations, whilst the natural point depends entirely on the taste and fortune affinities of the elements tend to form simple of those who propose to make use of them. ones. So long as the former is the more powerful, the plant grows and flourishes; as soon, however, as the latter gets the upper hand, the plant withers and fades-disease, and perhaps death, follow.

THE COLD PORTABLE GREENHOUSE.

The portable greenhouse may be cold; that is, without y special means of warming it. It may also be tempered; that is, furnished with This kind of struggle is well seen in the an- an apparatus for producing artificial heat. nual fall of the leaf. During the whole of the Except for the size and decoration, more or less summer, whilst the vital energy is great, lignin, elegant, it is nothing more than a great hand starch, sugar, and other similar compounds are glass, of which the panes of glass, supported on formed in the leaves, and through their agency; a light iron frame, are arranged by means of towards the close of the year, when they have slips of lead. Many of the upper panes should fulfilled the objects for which they were formed, be made to open by sliding, as well to let air these effects cease, the vital power diminishes, and ordinary chemical agency gets the ascendant. The first effect of this is oxidation; the leaves begin to absorb oxygen, their green coloring matter oxidizes, and becomes yellow, the leaves wither, fade, die, and fall off. But even then chemical power continues to act on them; they remain subject to its influence till they are wholly decomposed, or nothing but a little mould remains.

into the interior, so that you may be able to tend and cultivate the plants within.

A multitude of interesting experiments in horticulture may be made, and charming results obtained, in the small space contained within a cold portable greenhouse. Its pots, none of them exceeding the medium size, may contain a complete assortment of the finest plants that are found in greenhouses-not only in such as are not, but in such as are, warmed by artificial Disease is occasioned by many causes; but means. If the portable greenhouse has not a independent of numerous minor sources, such special apparatus for warming it, it must be as the attacks of insects, &c, the most impor- placed in a room where people habitually sit, of tant are deficiency of light, deficiency of vital which it must necessarily take the temperature; energy, and deficiency of heat; any of these and this temperature is pretty nearly that of the alone, or a combination of them, induces disease artificially warmed greenhouse. in plants, and often leads to death, by enabling the elements of organic matter to commence those changes which constitute decay and decomposition.

Principal Utility of the Cold Portable Greenhouse.-It is quite probable, ladies, that many of your familiar acquaintance are, like yourself, fond of parlor gardening. If you possess a cold

portable greenhouse, you multiply indefinitely the plants; and, after having

may, if you please, grow until they have become too large to rechoicest ornamental main in the portable greenhouse. Then take reserved for yourself your share, and distribute the rest; it is a sort of present that can not fail to be acceptable.

the quantity necessary for keeping up your own stock, there will remain a large supply which will afford you the means of contributing to the enjoyment of your friends by furnishing them with plants.

We must first fill the pots with good sandy heath soil (peat mixed with sand), and then we can proceed with our work at our ease. Nothing is more agreeable, whether we keep the products or give them away, than to see them arrive at a presentable degree of development.

For the purpose of propagation you have three methods at your option: by sowiny, by slips, and by grafting. Neither of these is difficult in itself; attention and a great deal of patience are the only requisites to success in all three.

SOWING.

The list of ornamental plants which can be propagated in pots in the portable greenhouse is very long, even if we limit ourselves to gardening in the house alone. We will select from among those most worthy of attention; and their propagation by seeds will give a just idea of how you should proceed with any others that you may have a fancy for.

The seeds of rhododendrons are sown exactly in the same manner as the seeds of azaleas, and with the same results.

Sowing of Orange Seeds.-Among the plants that are easily propagated by seed in the portable greenhouse is the orange. Sow, for this purpose, seeds of very ripe oranges or lemons; these last are most easily reared. Instead of pure heath soil, these seeds require a mixture of heath soil and good manure. By those who carry on gardening as a trade, the pots in which orange and lemon seed are sown are buried in a hotbed, covered with a glazed frame; but this is because they are in haste: for them, to gain time is to gain money. You, ladies, who are not under the empire of the same necessities, by sowing your seeds in February, a time of the year when there is fire in your apartment, will have the temperature of the interior of your portable greenhouse sufficiently high for them to come up in fifteen or twenty days. Your young trees will be much better off under the shelter of your portable greenhouse than anywhere else; air or light in excess would hurt them during the first period of their growth. Sowing of Azalea Seed.-Let us begin with You will have the pleasure of seeing them grow azaleas. Procure seeds of the most admired fast enough if you water them moderately. variety; they will not always produce a shrub Towards the month of July they will already exactly like that from which the seeds were be strong; the panes of the greenhouse ought gathered. But so much the better. When your frequently to be kept open, to habituate the young plants bloom for the first time, you will young orange trees to contact with air. Some of be agreeably surprised to find remarkable novel- them can be grafted towards the first of Novemties, either in the larger size of the corolla or in ber; the others in the spring of the following the brilliancy or delicacy of the colors. Those year; and when you see the first flowers open, whose bloom does not seem to you satisfactory- this will give you more pleasure than all the and this will be the smaller number-can be orange flowers that could be brought to you. made use of as stocks to receive the grafts of Sowings of Flemish Pink Seed.-Side by side such varieties as you may prefer. Take care not to cover the azalea seed with more than the eighth of an inch of earth, which you must keep constantly damp, without excess of moisture, by watering often and giving very little water at a time. In your portable greenhouse the pots containing the azalea seeds come in contact only with air loaded with moisture, which being seldom changed, scarcely any Sowings of Ranunculus Seed.-Sow also evaporation takes place; whilst, the temperature ranunculus seeds. This flower is a charming there being mild and very equable, the condi- one-faultless in both form and color; nothing tions are the best possible for obtaining a good is wanting in it but perfume; and for parlor germination of the seeds. Each pot having gardening this is scarcely a defect. For the received but a small number of seeds, the sowing of ranunculus seeds, procure a little young azaleas will sprout at their ease, without cow-dung, very dry and reduced to powder. crowding one another. As soon as they have After having slightly wetted this manure, sow acquired consistence enough to bear transplant- the seeds, with but a very shallow covering. ing, pull them up, one by one, and plant them They will come up in a few days. When you singly in little pots, where they will continue to see the little leaves of the seedling wither and

with your sowings of azaleas, rhododendrons, and orange, sow seeds of Flemish pinks, in the same mixture of heath soil and manure that we have directed as the most suitable for oranges and lemons. Transplanted when an inch or two high, the plants will, the ensuing year, bear the choicest pinks, and these will be among the finest ornaments of your garden.

turn yellow, cease altogether to water them. A 4th. The side from which the wind will blow few days afterwards, when the contents of the in a squall will be also indicated through the pots are perfectly dry, take the pots out of the direction and the elevation of the crystallizacold portable greenhouse; crumble the contents tion in the tube, the crystallization always formcarefully, and pass them through a tin colander ing on the side from which the wind will blow. with very small holes. There will remain in the 5th. In the winter season, the crystallization colander little plants of ranunculus, each one will maintain itself higher in the tube; snowy not more than an inch or two long. and freezing weather are also indicated by the You are afraid, perhaps, ladies, that these so particles of the substance floating in the liquid, very delicate plants will make you wait a long and assuming the shape of long hairy needles. time for their bloom. You are mistaken. 6th. In summer time, the weather being dry When spring sets in, plant them in pots of the and warm, the crystallization will have a tencommon size, in a mixture of good ordinary dency to remain lower in the tube, and the garden earth and manure; they will all bloom liquid will also be more transparent. before the end of the warm weather.

You see how many things you can accomplish in horticulture under the cold portable greenhouse, with nothing more than sowings.

The amount of crystallized particles which will be seen floating in the liquid is a sure indication of fine or bad weather, but will depend entirely on the suddenness of the change in the Slips offer you pleasure not less varied. weather which is to take place, acting in the Grafting, which your taper fingers, habituated most energetic way on the composition above to delicate work, can execute to such perfection, described.

will add to your stock of enjoyments. You will The value of this simple instrument, to foreafter some time-not a long one-have around warn of an impending storm, and also to indicate you a whole generation of ornamental plants, the continuance of fine weather, will be readily full of vitality, that your care will have brought appreciated by those whose occupations are into life, and your solicitude will have made to affected by changes in the weather.-Journal of prosper. It will end in your becoming attached Applied Chemistry. to all these charming vegetable productions, as to so many friends of your own creation.-Gentleman's Magazine..

A SIMPLE WEATHER-GLASS. This instrument is prepared as follows:Take a glass 10 inches in length, and 1 inch in diameter, and fill it nearly up to the top with the following liquid:-Two parts camphor, one part nitrate of potash, and one part salammonia, and dissolve in strong spirits of wine; then add water until you have partially precipitated the camphor. The extremity of the tube can be left open or hermetically closed The tube thus prepared, is fixed horizontally against a wall or a board, and the changes are thus indicated:

1st. If the weather is to be fine, the composition of the substance will remain entirely at the bottom of the tube, and the above liquid will be clear and transparent.

2d. Before the weather changes to become rainy, the precipitate will rise by degrees, and small crystallizations, similar in shape to stars, will be seen to move about in the liquid.

WAX-FLOWER MAKING.

LILIUMS.

Many of this class of plants are so adaptable for modelling on account of their wax-like appearance, that it is advisable to proceed with directions concerning the modus operandi. Some of the out-door Liliums are still fresh in the mind of the reader, and with the few hints mand a certain degree of success, to those who hereafter given, may serve the purpose to comwillingly try their hand. There are numerous varieties, but I shall merely give a description of those that can be well made, and can be easily procured.

Lilium lancifolium rubrum is very effective in wax, and when made has a handsome appearance. It is of large size, and requires great care both in coloring and modeling. It has six petals, or segments, three large and three smaller ones, all of which are bright carmine in the centre, shading off to almost white at the edges; it has six stamens, the filaments of 3d. When a storm is imminent, the precipitate brown. The petals of this flower must be made which are pale green and the anthers very dark will nearly all rise to the top of the tube, of two thicknesses of lily-wax well pressed toassuming the shape of a leaf, or an assemblage gether. They will come apart if air be allowed of crystals; the liquid will appear to be in a to get between them. A paper pattern of each state of effervescence. This change very often takes place twenty-four hours before the change

in the weather.

petal should be taken and the name and number of petals written on each; the two sheets of