Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-05-23
CLARKsBURG, WEDNEsDAYs MAY as, 1890.

several experiments were six n1flIigram-
messto the litre, but the amount is redn-
ced to / .O2, after a rainy day. He says,
from the 18th to the 18th of November a
thick mist prevailed. SO. rich in ammonia
that the water had an alkaline reaction.
A litre of the water contained about two
decigrammes of the carbonate of ammo>
mia. He also says that rains always cons
tain ammonia. and that it is more abun-
dant at the beginning than at the end of
the shower.
NJ. Vile presented to the French Aca-
deny, a communication, on the quantity
of and the absorption of nitrogen, by
plants. He proved that the quantity of
of killogrammes of air. equalled e2,417
grammes, and that it varied between IL
IA, and 20, 43 grammes. So much for
the contested presence aud quantity of
ammonia. Another source of nitrogen
into combined state is nitric acid. DR..
Gilbert stated, before the British Associa-
ton, that this acid was most abundant al
ter storms, and varied very greatly at
different periods of the year. He express
sed his opinion that nitric acid and am
monia, were about equally efficient in sup.
plying nitrogen for plants, and therefore
as nitric acid was more abundant in the
atmosphere. he was convinced that it af-
forded the larger quantity of azote to the
vegetable world.
Now as to the absorption of nitrogen.
stated that it bathed the leaves and pc
netrated the soil, and now add, tho
the question is one of great intricacy,)
that [ not only believe nitrogen itself is
ces OF nitrogen i'll the atmosphere, are
equal to the requirements of vegetation !;
that gas existing, in the air, in much grea-
ter plants, for no matter how essential
that substance may be to the formation
of vegetable and animal bodies, it is not
to be denied, that it is found in relatively
small quantities in either. The quantities
required by plants being so small, is one
ofLhe reasons which makes it difficult to FIX
accurately the amount absorbed. NJ. Vile
says, " though the nitrogen of the air is
absorbed by plants, ammonia is not
an auxiliary of vegetation. He states
categorically, as conclusion, after many
experiments, "that the nitrogen of the air
is absorbed by plants, the cereals as we'll
as all Others"
l have said that ammonia was destruc-
tive of animal vitality, but Mr. Pendleton
remarks that it does not follow thatit is
equally destructive of vegetable vitality.
1t was mistake on my part, or that of
! the printer, as the sense of the text shows,
that the vegetable vitality was not inclu>
ded DR.. Gilbert says further that CTS
rains, including the dew and mists, ex
amined contained as mean, half milli.
gramme of ammonia. The great quanti>
ty Of ammonia contained in the mist ap>
pears interesting in its bearing on vege~
table pathology, in fact although ammo>
MIA in small quantities is favorable to ve>
getation, large proportion would be in>
furious, and would show its effects espe>
cially on the leaves Of flowers"
NJ. Vile says that if ammonia be used
when the plant is Towering, that function
is stopped.
To prove how we'll it is known that am
monia is destructive to vegetable vitality,
l have before me seed dealers catalogue,
where speaking of the application of qua
no he says, ''he careful to place the guano
where it will not touch the embryo, or
| OOAu9 SuOOGSJ OL oG6lhS VI COEnO pOLhGOGS1
cabbages, tobacco, sugar and cotton, for
it is of such burning nature that if a por-
ton no larger than small pea came iu
contact with plant before being water
ed or rained on, or undergoing partial
decomposition, it instantly kills it." Ii
would appear, then, from the carbonate Of
ammonia in guano. is known to seed deal
ers and others, to be injurious and de-
structive of vegetable vitality.
You have requested short articles. l
regret that it has not been in my power
to have made this, in justice to myself, as
much SO as | desired. Even as it is,
have left much unsaid, and might have
swelled the list of my authority. and Civ
en- results Of my own observation, but
have said all that care, and all that is
perhaps essential. have no desire to
tax longer your patience, or that Of your
readers, and shall not willingly pursue the
matter further. T. G. G.
N1GHr- r-RUEN1NG UPON RA1LRoADs.-W
have somemetimes heard it remarked by
timid persons thatthey wouldnot travel by
night on the railroad-their impression