Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-09-13
From the Chic Farmer.
Atmospheric Food Of Plants.

fdhOn on Mt iIr-SiiIs rlOH P,rrnSdblf 10
\ Air, Other things hang equal. most Pro.
/ dHoiirt.
A seed which weighs much lees than q
grain, sown in good soil, grows to plant
composed OF starch, deItripe and cellulose,
which is found TO contain ten, twenty, or
perhaps hundred times as much Of these
substances as the original sccd. About 9j
per cent OF oil this increased weigh, is TAX
on from the air. The oxygen and hydrogen
Of plants is no doub, partly obtained from
the decomposition OF water. The carbon
can DO assimila,ed from coal. which !. bard.
insoluble. and no, sufficiently divided to en-
tor the roo,le,s OF plants; but that soft state
known rs carbonic acid. furnishes q constant
supply. About Elk parts in ten thousand
Of air is carbonic acid. Nitrogen is also
obtained from the ammonia Of the air.
These substances are very soluble in water,
and are brought down in rains and dews to
the roots. where they are absorbed and as.
simulated. The sources Of carbonlc acid and
Ammonia are tho destruction Of vegetation.
Every breath we breathe throws OF these
Substances. and every plan, ,ha, decays fur
nishes them. II u were not for a continued
growth Of these plants to take up and form
these 'ubs,ance. into vegetable matter, they
would soon accumulate in the air TO 80 great
an extent as TO render the earth uninhabit-
able. In dry, sultry weather, they DO some.
times accumulate 90 such an extent as 10
render the atmosphere quite poisonous and
~ they do in long continued damp weather.
when the decay OF vegetation is moro rapid
than its assimilation.
From tbe.e facts. we derive tho following
important conclusions :-rirs,. the health
Of a country !. very much modified by the
quantity Of vegetation growing there. II
NJ much exists as is necessary TO take up tho
carbonic acid, ammonia, and other gascs,
~ ias, a, they are forming, the air will DO
KEEP, pure. one Of the grca, othccs Of ,esc-
,Aton !. the publication Of the air. There
are many places where malaria exist. to
such an extent, by the rapid decay Of plants,
withou, a' rapid a growth. as to render tho
region. unhcalthiul. Such places can bo
made more healthy by securing such a
growth as shall take up these poisonous
gases. and render them inert. There arc
frequently abou, houses aud barns, sources
Of decay ,ha, render the air impure. II
they canno, 30 removed, some rapid grow.
ips plan, should bc grown near them to
purify the air. Mos, certainly should the
pis-s,y be surrounded by such plants as
the sun aower.
The second conclusion !. one OF an agri.
cultural nature. lf9j pcr cent. Of the food
OF pant. comes from tho air. IL is impor.
tan, ,ha, we know how 10 take advantage
OF ,hi. grea, source Of plan, food. II 10
were taken Up through the leaves entirely.
wc could DO but little; bat as most OF II,
goe. into the soil and is taken up by the
roots. We infer tha, those soils which are in
q condition to admit the mos, atmosphere,
are in a condition 20 take tho. advantage
of thi. source OF food Hence. soils that
are compact. 30 that rains. loaded with car
bonie acid and ammonia, run from the sur
face. rather than enter It, carrying these
substances away; or those which do not
allow the air to be constantly circulating
through them in dry weather, depOsi.ius
whatever it may contain, canno, be expect
ed to produce good crops. Such mechan-
ical condition Of the soil a. will allow the
passage VI air and water through it, Is Of
the FIRE, importance in agriculture. Take
caro- OF this. aud the chemical will almost
take care Of itself. Soils. comparative.
ly poor. often produce good crops. when
they have the best possible mechanical con.
di;iou. These hints may be acted upon at
almo., any season, and especially when we
are cultiya,ing our corn and potatoes, or
preparing fallow. for wheat.