Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-31

4s,t,,ant STATE Chemist Of Maryland hsad ocors Ee
alsiaors Aeademy Of Science and hrss a0eeo > io00
efrsrLEuEs: The National Inelgencer OF the 1o'h o.
suxust last contains article just read before YOU On
re Practical Value Of the Analysis OF Sous, y 'AAhs
r. BoorA the well-known Professor OF Fhaueipn'a' ~
vhse the practical worthessness OF the analysis Of sons
sought 70 be shown or in other words, IN Whch s'i'
care is sought be destroyed that science mas io
~ wears zeaousy endeayored to erect, ana the
on and durable foundation Of which is sustained not
Iy by the experience of Derzelius Lebig Rose way
and others but also will be proved by own Il we take
the trouble Of investigating the subject
The relation between the physiology of plants and their
culture in its practical and importance to the farmer
NJ according to Prof BooTH, totally destroyed for al
enough we are enabled indicate with certainty the sub
stances and their quantity which crop extracts from
ma coil we are nevertheless unable to know whether
soil contains these parts and whether their quantity is
seient to produce another crop This is the assertion
af Prof BoorH, which he pronouAces indirectly in the
tSree ensuing sections of his article:
l. It's impossible procure fair average Of soil
for examination.
2 Supposed fair sample could be obtained then the
present advancement Of science is not such to enable
the making OF . correct analysis.
5. Supposed analysis could be made, then the ex
peases connected with it would be that it
uuHtd be OF no practical value to the farmer.
At the end Of very hasty and imperfect argument to
S1ns;rate the truth of these assertions, Prof Booth
aay expresses the sweet hope that the time would
when analytical chemistry would be- in its continual i'm
Hrovemen far progressed that experiments OF this
May be made with satisfactory correctness and when
ue shall find the verifcaton of this sentiment:
the desert shall blossom as the rose"
Even if We suppose Prof Booths opinion to be estab
Erbsd sad truth, refrain from recognising
La the philosophy of the words, boldly pronounced by
him. nothing but the efuson of mind which has been
La the multiplicity of its Investigations but little directed
To the subject which he writes. We need not TO be
td that knowledges far from being perfect and that
strive for perfection all aware that this
refers all actions. 1t is undoubtedly adj
Saabe and better occupation for mind to draw
zzeh profit possible out of what We have established
"a truth and apply it the advantage of the present
slrue or in opening field of observations and
plosiug it, compelled to apprize the world ind
rdy that have been wrapped up heretofore in error
Prof. Booth proceeds another principle In the
Aave mentioned article which transcript of his adj
dress to the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion Of
Agriculture, he depicts the present condition of anayt
cal chemistry in the most deplorabe manner and comes
nzlly the conclusion that both methods Of anay
sys and balances must be perfected before we
tkink of satisfactory solution Of the existing difficulties
This solution leaves Prof Booth to time, which in all
pxobatility will greatly postpone his future plans With
regard to greater refinement perfection of the ba
EaDccs at present in USE Mr. Jones' well any one
ase acquainted with mechanism will be able TO designate
fFeady reached that limit This limit lies in the nature
OF thing ITSELF that the sensiblity Of balance
increases with the length of the beam and decreases IN
pxapoction to the weight Of the beam.
LIZ we were to apply long beams we would, in accord
with this principle, find that they lose,
of their necessary ghtness their equally necessary
intexbiy not to say aught Of their mpraetcability
Eor common use.
The future consequently does not promise many
remedies in this respect and Prof Booth will Of course.
.sosner later find himself disappointed in his hopes,
kaN afrht hasa ala
magnetic balances, YET 10 be constructed
I'm the resources TO the performances Of
chemical analysis limited, here solely de-
pendant the nature Of substances. Ii it lies in the
of substance, 6. of potash to form character
istic prccpitations only With few substances, (caed
rcts which are not distinguished by their
Insoiubity neither nature any mortal man Is able
20 the potash other qualities for potash with other
qualities ceases TO be potash.
Prof Booth should expect much from the future
X ~ould be much better for him. especially in this mat
Ger, &C cling TO what the moment offers, it
perfectly the purpose which we require. Here, now,
return the point from which depressed and which
have made the object OF my discussion that is the prac
cGal refutation of Prof Booths assertions Ii would
eany too far il were TO comment upon every
te of his article, and would also become unnteresting
Go the audience, portion Of il.
have the intention TO express my views with regard
ts the analysis Of soils from time time before this
sem6ly, and shall do so, beginning the earliest oppor
fnnty, ia suitable and concise manner possible
Tonight will confne myself to upon the analytical
determination Of substance in soils which is decried by
Rruf Booth impracticabe, viz the determination OF
phasphoric acid. Prof Booth says fellows about IL
s<zaere confrnatory argument against the practical
lu OF soilansysis, which has been clearly by
Major J. T. Lee, of Washington, that take the Liberty Of
quoting his letter to 0 the subject:
awe that all poor land Of proper texture the
pczeion 200 lbs Of guano the will produce fair
rrpe grain and And this the difference between
azrren and toerably fertile SOIL Now, this applies
y Tbs Of potash "a lbs Of phophorc acid and 81 lbs Of
But the contains 100000 lbs OF SOIL TO the
ph foot) Can analysis now, will it in progress
xy reasonably expect ii to make, ascertain one part Of
aas parts Of foreign matter part Of phos
Fo acid in 10000 parts Of foreign matter, or one part Of
ammonia in 100,0 00T
be answered without the slightest fear Of contra
that such determinations greatly bsyond the pre-
rnt power of chemical analysis Whether they will continue
m shall presently inquirer but the argument Is song against
rhe present value Of analysis applied to soils
These numbers truly enormous, and every farmer
svxry man Of common education, viii be obliged, in Pc
raising the above to concur with Prof Booths views and
may be only because they communicated TO him out
of the depth Of mysterious chemical laboratory oy
distinguished Professor To the man Of clear scientnca
observations however large numbers are not ioreign'
and he only astounds or is terrified by them When ney
disappear out OF reach Of comparison.
The numbers, mentioned By Prof Boom, however
great they may appear ut trst sight are put
Numbers as they are constantly applied IN the daily
fife Of chemists for the chemist is accustomed TO pre-
epiate and recognise milonth part OF o1iae
Of baryta in solution by of suphuric acid or
nitrate Of silver yet ons-monh Of hydro-chiorlc acio,
By hydrochoric acid yet one-milonth OF oromne, Dy
oxs6c acid 1-l00,000th Of lime sc.
Most Of the numerous other reagents commonly APP
piled indicate 50 000th 1l0 000th Of the respec
tive substances for the recognition of which they are
al Whra ahove- lone phosphor1c