Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1876 — The Office of Growing Leaves. [ARTICLE]

The Office of Growing Leaves.

“ • * Every leaf is supplied with mouths (termed stomata) upon their under surface;that these mouths perform an important function is beautifully illustrated by the effects of mildew. Mildew usually attacks the under surface of the leaves, the functions of the stomata are arrested, the fruit if any, fails to color and usually shrivels anu dies, and if the disease is extensive the vine will be seriously and permanently injured, if not destroyed. In the earlier period of the growing season the stems and leaves acts as a continuous drain upon the conserved resources of the plant and the nutritive elements contained in the soil; but as soon as the leaves attain a certain state of development their stomata absorb from the atmosphere certain nutritive principles as well as elaborate important elements. If the extremity of a branch is removed and its laterals continuously nipped the efforts of the vine are uirgpted to the early development of the remaining leaves and to the rapid extension of branches not subjected to the stoppings and nipping process. Upon the stopped branches the remaining leaves attain un unusual development and have their functional power increased. This increased functional activity fa well illustrated in an ordinary vinery where vines are subjected to close summer pruning or in a tomato plant tbat has been subjected to the pinching process, the leaves becoming larger and thicker. Dr. Lindley remarked that "’‘he who would remove from a plant in full bearing a portion Of its leaves, with the view of hastening the maturity of its fruit, would, be actiagwHh about aa much reason as one who should take out part of the lungs and bowels of an animal by way of improving its digestion. Cavoleau correctly remarks; “It fa wfah reason that the leaves are called serial roots, for they inhale from the atmosphere much more nourishment than the roots do from the soil; they do not only fulfill In vegetables

all the functions of lungs in animals, they are also the stomach of the plant, and the aliments which are elaborated in them are decomposed and recomposed like those in the stomach and intestines in animals. Brought to this state of perfection, these alimentary juices descend toward the roots and'in their passage they deposit all the materials necessary to form wood, hark, oil, resins, mucilage and all the other vegetable principles. In short, it is. this descending sap which furnishes to the fruit its juice, perfume, and all that makes it vsiuable. These effects cannot be produced if the leaves ate suppressed; and the plant will bo weakened In proportion to the extent to which they are removed.”— Cor. N. T. Herald.