CHAPTER XV. Plants and Men

PLANTS AND MEN

“Our human souls Cling to the grass and water brooks.”

--Athanase

The average city man gives little thought or attention to his vegetable neighbours, yet their continued existence is quite as vital to him as the air he breathes. Directly or indirectly he is utterly dependent upon them.

Every time he sits down to a dinner table, he is paying an unconscious tribute to the food-producing abilities of plantdom. In a general way, plants are the world’s food producers and the animals are the consumers. Plants are able to build up living tissue from inorganic material. Animals must prey upon that elaborated structure to keep themselves alive. Plants separate oxygen from carbon dioxide and water, thereby storing up sunshine as potential energy. Animals reverse the process, and, re-combining oxygen with the plant tissue, liberate heat and power. In a desert region, animals soon perish, because even carnivorous species live on herbivorous fellows which in turn are eaters of plants. This is why the distribution of men and animals is so greatly influenced by that of plants.

For clothing man depends partly upon such plant-products as Cotton and Flax and partly on plant-fed animals which yield him silk, wool and leather. The great plant structures of the forest give him the chief materials which go into the construction of his ships and houses, with all their appurtenances. The bodies of plants, recently alive or the bodies of plants long since dead furnish fuel for cooking, heating and power. Drugs are very largely of vegetable origin. In brief, the plants feed, clothe, shelter, and warm mankind.

Man has made many plants his servants. His first attention was naturally given to such species as he could use for food. Two thousand years ago, the ancients were growing practically all the food plants that are known today. Maize, Potatoes, Rice, Beans, Dates and Bananas have been cultivated for an even longer period. Fodder plants, calculated to furnish food for man’s domestic animals, were the next to receive attention, and following those, medical plants, edible fruits, garden vegetables and aromatic leaves and seeds, such as Tea and Coffee, came to the fore.

When we consider that plants display superior powers in so many directions and, as F. L. Sargent says, “do to perfection so many things we cannot do at all,” it is really remarkable that man has so completely subjected them to his will. Because of their static condition, they are quite helpless in his hands. He levels their grandest forests and burns their widest prairies. Certain plants he makes his pets, fighting their enemies and nurturing them in the most careful way. The tender Wheat would never be able to occupy the vast stretches it does through its own strength. Under man’s guidance and protection, its volume is increased a thousand fold.

The vast changes which human efforts make in the surface of the earth have a correspondingly important effect on vegetation. Every time a tract of woods is cut down, every time a lake is drained, every time a field is plowed--whenever any alteration is made in the landscape--the vegetation is affected. Sometimes this disturbance of the natural order of things becomes a serious menace, as in the case of deforestation. The welfare of the world is bound up with the welfare of the plants.

About a hundred years ago, a certain section of forest in France was levelled. It contained Oak, Beech, and Ash. The new trees to spring up were Birch and Poplar. After thirty years they too were felled and young shoots of the same species immediately came up, with a few descendants of the original growth reappearing. It was not until the third clearing or ninety years after the original cutting that the Oaks and Beeches began to regain their lost prestige. This is a good example of the effect that human operations have on the plant world. Wholesale cuttings tend to change the chemical composition of the soil by withdrawing certain elements, thereby causing other species to flourish which do not need this material.

When it comes to plants grown in nurseries and conservatories, gardeners are often able to make almost unbelievable changes in floral and vegetable form and structure. There has been much experimentation of recent years in connection with the effect of light, both natural and artificial, on plant processes. In general, it has been established that it is just as injurious for a plant to have too much light as too little. Steady exposure to light makes for accelerated growth of tissue. Lessening light speeds up flowering and reproduction. Control over a plant’s light supply therefore means that the manipulator can produce at will either large, luxuriantly foliaged plants which flower late, or from the same seed develop small specimens blooming exceptionally early.

Man is not content with merely controlling the external conditions which affect vegetation but often steps into their internal processes and moulds their life-forces at their very fountainhead. By the simple methods of selection and cross-breeding, he is able to work miracles with the laws of heredity, and bridge in a few years gaps which a plant would have taken centuries to span by ordinary evolutionary processes.

Luther Burbank is the modern garden wizard who has attained the greatest distinction in this field. He says: “There is no barrier to obtaining fruits of any size, form or flavour desired, and none to producing plants and flowers of any form, colour or fragrance; all that is needed is a knowledge to guide our efforts in the right direction, undeviating patience and cultivated eyes to detect variations of value.”

Burbank has many times shown that he has the knowledge, patience and cultivated eye in a superlative degree. He claims to only apply old methods in a new way, but his results have been phenomenal. In fruits he has produced many new varieties of Apples, Pears, Peaches, Apricots, Plums, Prunes, Cherries and Quinces. His Plumcot is a delicious cross between a Plum and an Apricot. Out of the Dewberry and a Siberian Raspberry he compounded what he calls the Primus Berry. A Dewberry plus a Cuthbert Raspberry equals a Phenomenal Berry. One Lawton Blackberry and one Crystal White Blackberry make one Paradox Berry.

Among the Burbank floral creations the Shasta Daisy is notable. It combines strains from Europe, Japan, and America. A new giant Amaryllis has twelve-inch blossoms. The Tigridias is spectacular, the blue Poppies are odd and there are many extraordinary Lilies.

The substitute for Grass developed by the California naturalist thrives through the most severe drought and so is of practical economic value. His improved Walnut Trees grow to a large size in a few years and his Chestnuts bear abundant crops when they are mere bushes. Spineless Cactus is a very valuable creation.

All these results are obtained in what seems to be a very simple way, yet their successful outcome is only made possible by the mind of genius working with infinite patience over long periods of years. To select out of a group of plants a few individuals which show exceptional quality of a desirable type; to save the seed of these favoured few and make further selections among their progeny; to couple with this the cross-pollenizing of different varieties or species showing a tendency to greater variation or accentuation of characteristics--all this may seem only high grade garden practice, but only one man in two or three generations has the exceptional and sympathetic perceptive faculties which enable him to attain really striking results.

On his experimental farms near Santa Rosa, California, Luther Burbank has made many thousand distinct experiments involving a wide range of plant species. It is said that at times he has had as many as three thousand tests, calling for observations on a million plants and flowers, under way at once. Probably no similar area of the earth’s surface has grown such a variety of vegetable products or had such infinite care lavished upon it.

These are the practical aspects of the relations of plants to men. On the esthetic and pleasurable side they are equally important.

The love of plants and flowers is a universal sentiment slumbering in the most prosaic breast. Plants are a perpetual source of joy. They are friends which never change. In youth, they give zest to our outdoor pleasures. In age, they bespeak the happiness of days gone by. In death, they strew our last resting place with fragrance. At all times, they stand for purity, beauty and peace.

THE END

INDEX

Acacia, 125

Acanthus, 103

Agave, 67

Aglaia, 139

Air Plants, 41

Alder, 25, 41, 99

Alfalfa, 56

Algae, 18, 19, 22, 24, 44, 60, 127

Almond, 56, 103, 182

Aloe, 93

Amaryllis, 221

Ampelopsis, 108

Anacharis, 49

Anemone, 97, 144

Antirrhinum, 75

Ant Nest Plant, 72

Apple, 61, 82, 220

Apricot, 51, 56, 220

Arrowhead, 47, 92

Arum, 146

Ash, 46, 218

Aspen, 181

Asphodel, 145

Aster, 97, 100, 103

Asterophyllites, 24

Azalia, 79, 97

Bacteria, 31, 55, 66, 135, 139, 190

Balm of Gilead, 150

Balsam, 181

Balsam Poplar, 78

Bamboo, 26, 56, 103, 121

Banana, 124, 126

Banibusa, 139

Barberry, 105, 126

Barley, 26

Barrel Cactus, 67

Basil, 151

Bean, 29, 35, 51, 66, 91, 116, 125, 164, 216

Beech, 62, 139, 208, 218

Beech Drops, 62

Beet, 37, 132

Begonia, 93, 98

Belladonna, 152, 158

Birch, 25, 41, 42, 78, 218

Birth-Wort, 76

Blackberry, 42, 158

Black-eyed Susan, 97

Bladderwort, 46, 131

Brambles, 192

Broom-Rape, 62

Butter-and-Eggs, 50

Buttercup, 37, 92, 96, 103

Butternut, 47

Butter-Wort, 75

Cabbage, 105

Cactus, 34, 66, 98, 132, 207, 221

Calamites, 24

Calceolarias, 97

Camellia, 97

Cardoon Artichoke, 49

Carrion Flower, 88

Carrot, 37, 109, 132

Castor Oil Tree, 41

Catalpa, 116

Cat-Tail, 116

Cecropia, 73, 81

Cedar, 116

Cherry, 51, 56, 72, 103, 175, 220

Chestnut, 42, 221

Chickweed, 171

Cinerarias, 97

Clover, 66, 165

Club-Mosses, 24

Cobaea Scandens, 79

Cockle-bur, 48

Cocoanut, 45

Coffee, 51, 52, 217

Compass-Plant, 172

Conifers, 25, 42

Corn, 116, 168

Cotton, 216

Cottonwood, 115

Cow Horn Orchid, 71

Cowslip, 78, 162

Cranesbill, 98

Crocus, 37, 108, 145

Cuckoo-Pint, 66, 88

Cucumber, 51, 82

Currant, 175

Cyclamen, 161

Cypress, 25, 175, 182

Daffodil, 37

Daisy, 104, 162, 220

Dandelion, 45, 47, 79, 102, 162, 171, 175

Date, 82, 216

Date Palm, 35

Datura, 171

Day-Lily, 171

Delphinium, 97

Devil’s Snuff Box, 159

Devil’s Thread, 62

Dewberry, 220

Diatoms, 127

Dodder, 58, 62

Duckweed, 46

Dutch Clover, 165

Dutchman’s Pipe, 106

Elder, 152, 159

Elm, 25, 26, 42, 46, 115

Enchanter’s Nightshade, 151

Epiphytes, 64, 72

Eryptogams, 24

Ferns, 22, 41, 43, 44, 190

Feterita, 56

Figwort, 87

Fir, 103

Fire Weed, 47

Flagellates, 18

Flax, 63, 216

Four-leaved Clover, 162, 165, 175

Fox Glove, 160, 161

Fuchsia, 79, 93

Fungus, 22, 34, 48, 58, 60, 62, 139

Gas Plant, 135

Gentian, 97

Giant Cactus, 67

Goat’s Beard, 171

Goldenrod, 184

Gorse, 86, 97

Gossamer, 161

Gourd, 210

Grape, 67, 104

Grass, 36, 41

Grass of Parnassus, 193

Groundsel, 146

Harebell, 161

Hawkweed, 80

Hawkweed Picris, 171

Hawthorn, 104

Hazel, 36, 78

Heliotrope, 181

Hemlock, 160

Hemp, 62

Henna, 151

Herban, 158

Herb-Bennett, 159

Herb-Paris, 160

Hollyhock, 79, 97

Hop, 35

Horse Chestnut, 104

Hortensia, 137

Hyacinth, 37, 97, 108, 192

Ice-Plant, 171

Imba-uba Tree, 73

Indian Licorice, 170

Indian Pipe, 61

Indigo, 93

Iris, 92, 103, 192

Ivy, 103

Ivy-Geranium, 108

Jessamine, 97, 175

Job’s Tears, 157

Junger Mania, 127

Lantana, 53, 54

Laurel, 26, 88, 97, 105, 159, 175, 182

Leek, 165, 184

Legumes, 26, 31

Lepidodendrons, 24

Lettuce, 99, 158

Lichen, 22, 42, 48, 60

Lilac, 34, 97

Lily, 79, 97, 103, 145, 149, 156, 175, 181, 221

Lime, 78

Linden, 26, 46

Liverwort, 19, 20, 21, 22

Lomatophylos, 24

Loosestrife, 77

Lotus, 103, 124, 144, 147

Love in the Mist, 193

Lucerne, 51, 93

Luck Flower, 160

Luminous Peridineas, 139

Lupine, 86

Lycoperdon, 159

Magnolia, 26, 99

Maiden-Hair Fern, 145

Maize, 26, 35, 51, 216

Mandrake, 179

Mani Blight, 55

Manioc, 26

Maple, 26, 47, 101, 103, 208

Mares’ Tails, 24

Marigold, 125, 162, 171

Melastroma Plant, 73

Melon, 82

Mermidones, 73

Mexican Grape, 66

Mildew, 61

Milkweed, 102

Mimosa, 122, 121

Mistletoe, 47, 65, 147

Molluka, 146

Monotropa, 61

Monstera, 191

Moonflower, 171

Moon-Plant, 151

Moonwart, 160

Morning Glory, 49, 128

Moss, 20, 21, 22, 42, 48, 190

Mountain Laurel, 88

Mulberry, 51

Mullein, 75, 101

Murderer Liana, 206

Myrtle, 182

Myxomycetes, 194

Naked Stalked Poppy, 171

Narcissus, 108, 145, 148

Nasturtium, 80, 108

Navel Orange, 56

Nephelium, 139

Nettle, 35, 76

Night-Blooming Cereus, 171

Night-Shade, 159

Nostoc, 22

Oak, 25, 42, 103, 139, 208, 218

Olive, 103, 175, 182

Onion, 156, 163, 164

Opuntia, 197

Orange, 56

Orchid, 60, 64, 74, 89, 97, 102, 126, 144, 146, 147

Oscillating Sainfoin, 126

Oxalis, 36, 116, 125

Palm, 25, 26, 41, 94, 100, 103, 105, 175, 182

Pansy, 108, 175

Papyrus, 103

Paradox Berry, 220

Parnassia, 127

Parsley, 164

Passion Flower, 76, 101, 103, 145, 197

Pea, 26, 51, 105, 163

Peach, 51, 61, 220

Pear, 51, 61, 220

Pelargoniums, 97

Peony, 97, 103

Persimmon, 26

Phenomenal Berry, 220

Pigweed, 49

Pimpernel, 160, 169

Pine, 26, 111, 114, 208

Pink, 145

Pistachio, 82

Plane, 26

Plum, 175, 220

Plumcot, 220

Poa Annua, 40

Polyanthus, 79

Polygalas, 93

Polygonums Tree, 73

Pomegranate, 103, 104, 151

Pond Lily, 91

Pond Weeds, 83

Poplar, 98, 99, 218

Poppy, 86, 97, 100, 144, 156, 181, 221

Potato, 26, 37, 55, 157, 216

Potentillas, 192

Prickly Pear, 67, 197

Primrose, 37, 79, 86, 174, 192

Privet, 105

Protozoa, 12

Prune, 220

Psilophyton, 24

Puff-Ball, 159

Purple Orchid, 146

Quince, 220

Rafflesia Arnoldi, 64

Ragwort, 160

Raspberry, 220

Rattlesnake Iris, 116

Red Anemone, 146

Redwood, 26, 101

Rhododendron, 79, 97, 99

Rice, 26, 216

Rock-Lichens, 75

Rose, 86, 95, 97, 98, 100, 103, 104, 145, 150, 156, 163, 175, 182, 184

Rose of Jericho, 146

Rose-blight, 61

Rosemary, 181

Rue, 159

Saffron, 51

Sage, 87, 116

Sainfoin, 126, 146

Scarlet Runner, 91

Sea Holly, 98

Sea Poppy, 160

Sensitive Plant, 130

Sequoia, 26

Service Tree, 191

Shamrock, 165, 184

Shasta Daisy, 220

Siberian Raspberry, 220

Sigillarias, 24

Silene, 78

Silver Fir, 26

Smilax, 116

Snowberry, 105

Snowdrop, 37, 182

Soma, 151

Sow-Thistle, 158, 171

Spanish Moss, 65

Spinach, 51

Spineless Cactus, 221

Spotted Persicaria, 146

Spruce, 26

Squash, 168

Squirting Cucumber, 116

Stapelia, 87

Star-Flower, 163

Stinging Nettle, 75

Strawberry, 146

String Bean, 105

St. John’s Wort, 150, 161

Sudan Grass, 56

Sugar Cane, 51, 116

Sundew 193, 197

Sunflower, 116, 128

Sweet Gum, 102

Sweet Pea, 80, 108

Sweet Potato, 109

Sycamore, 47, 78, 131

Tea, 217

Thistle, 47, 49, 159, 165, 175, 184

Thorn-Apple, 104

Thyme, 146

Tigridias, 221

Toadstool, 158, 162

Tobacco, 26, 62

Tococa, 73

Touch-me-not, 48, 181

Tree-ferns, 24

Trefoil, 86, 103, 165

Trumpet Vine, 97

Tulip, 37, 97, 104, 162

Tumble Weed, 46

Turmeric, 157

Turnip, 37, 132

Vallisneria, 206

Venus Fly-Trap, 130, 198, 200

Verbena, 97, 150

Veronica, 125

Vervain, 159, 160

Vetch, 66, 72

Victoria Regia, 91, 118

Violet, 36, 93, 100, 144, 181

Walnut, 42, 47, 51, 221

Water Chestnut, 92

Water Hyacinth, 52

Water Lily, 86, 118, 133

Watermelon, 51

Weather-Plant, 170

Weeping Willow, 100

Wheat, 26, 51, 56, 116, 217

Wheat-Rust, 61

Wild Anemone, 181

Willow, 42, 46, 99, 100, 115, 145

Wistaria, 48, 95, 97, 103, 108, 128, 176

Witch Hazel, 116

Wolffias, 46

Wood-Anemone, 162

Woodroof, 146

Wood-Sorrel, 146, 161, 165

Wormwood, 151

Xanthium Spinosum, 37

Yam, 26

Yellow Narcissus, 148

Yew, 160

Yucca, 90

Zoochlorella, 61

Zooxanthella, 61

Transcriber’s Notes

Page 14: “in the consciouness” changed to “in the consciousness”

Page 24: “trees called Calamities” changed to “trees called Calamites”

Page 25: “many excellent speciments” changed to “many excellent specimens”

Page 26 and Index: “Manico” changed to “Manioc”

Page 29: “herbacious annual” changed to “herbaceous annual”

Page 42: “Chesnut and Elm” changed to “Chestnut and Elm”

Page 51: “Cucumber, Lucern” changed to “Cucumber, Lucerne”

Page 55: “propogation purposes” changed to “propagation purposes”; “objectional” changed to “objectionable”

Page 62: “Prominate among” changed to “Prominent among”

Page 64: “Rafflessia Arnoldi” changed to “Rafflesia Arnoldi”

Page 78: “under the miscrope” changed to “under the microscope” “devoid of proturberances” changed to “devoid of protuberances”

Page 79: “Azalias, and Fuchias” changed to “Azalias, and Fuchsias”

Page 97: “Pelargoiums” changed to “Pelargoniums”

Page 121: “Sumatratran species” changed to “Sumatran species”

Page 125: “quite inconspicous” changed to “quite inconspicuous”

Page 131 & 189: “carniverous plants” changed to “carnivorous plants”

Page 132: “have aquired” changed to “have acquired”

Page 148: “Whoever posseses” changed to “Whoever possesses”

Page 152: “The Belladona” changed to “The Belladonna”

Page 157: “Tumeric” changed to “Turmeric”

Page 171: “marvelous aquaintance” changed to “marvelous acquaintance”

Page 174: “Primose Schlüsselblume” changed to “Primrose Schlüsselblume”

Page 175: “Olives, Jasamines” changed to “Olives, Jessamines”

Page 190: “seed-animalicules” changed to “seed-animalcules”

Page 202: “in Protoza” changed to “in Protozoa”

Page 206: “giving away” changed to “giving way” “villian” changed to “villain”

Page 208: “aristrocatic Pine” changed to “aristocratic Pine”

Page 221: “is suectacular” changed to “is spectacular”

The Table of Contents in the original was missing the chapter on Science in the Plant World, which has been added. The Music in the Plant World page reference has been accordingly corrected.