BOTANICAL KNOWLEDGE.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2835, 16 March 1878, Page 4

BOTANICAL KNOWLEDGE.

A knowledge of botany is most important. Botany is tiie science of plants'— the knowledge of plants. It must, therefore, have a close relation to their culture. It teaches also of the natural relation of plants to each other. The use of botany to horticulture is apparent, giving now varieties of vegetables to the gardener, new shrubs and flowers, knowledge how to transplant, when to do so; the climate, ■oil, etc., suitable to different plants, etc. Botany treats of the structure of plants and therefore the modes of their nourishment or manner of feeding. The structure of the leaf informs us that it is a feeder to the plant, by drawing certain materials from the atmosphere, whilst it yields others to it. The structure of the stems of plants is also connected with their growth, in which exists a system of vessels constituting a vascular system, by means of which the elaborated food is fupplied to the plant. The structure of roots is another important practical point which enables the plant to draw sustenance from the soil. Some spread the roots over the surface to a great distance. Some strike deep into the soil, requiring different kinds of soil. "Wheat requires a stiff clay soil. Its toots strike deep, therefore plough deep ; the turnips a light soil, therefore lighten your clsj soil if you want a crop. Different kinds of plants also indicate to the skilful observer different kinds of ■oil. He could tell from the plants what kind of rocks were to be found where they grew. The thistle indicates a rich and productive soil. In the valley of Virginia, famous for its fertility, you will often see entire fields of blue thistle. fJ he farmers regard it as a fertilizer, and plow it when preparing fallow for wheat. Trees indicate different varieties of soil. Beech, on a light soil, indicates fine cotton land in the South. The maple, a light and superior kind of soil. Habits of plants are important, especially those that are obnoxious, so that we can know best how to exterminate them. The vitality of sped is of importance W* all know how difficult it is to exterminate the wild onion, which flavors milk, butter, and even the flesh of the animal itself. Wheat found with an Egyptain mummy, supposed to have been 3,000 years old, when sown proved to be productive. Then there are mildew, smut and rust, so destructive of crops. Botanists have discovered how they grow, what they are, how they propagate, how they get into the plant aud seed, how they may be exterminated. —Dr Martin P. Scott.