Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-26

If we make chemical examination of wheat,
We find that what we are able, after moiStening,
to run Oft from the kernels with q coarse towel,
is made up of woody ilbre, and differs hut little
from the dry straw of the plant. The next
wrapper, which is a continuous one, contains
the most important constituents of the seed,
holding the phosphate salts, and the nitrogen
Gus ingredients, Here are stored up the little
atoms of phosphate of lime, magnesia, soda,
and potasSa, which the microscopic mouths of
the root fbres have sucked from the soil in
which it grew, The office of the plant has been
one simply of transierence: it has transferred
from the soil the earthly partlces-liited them
from their low estate TO the highest within its
power to attain-placed them in position to
meet the requirements OF men and animals,
Now, can the plant grow, and the seeds mature,
unless the soil contains these saltsp 1t may
grow, and even luxuriantly; but shrivelled and
imperfect seeds, few i'll number, will occupy tho
little pockets in the head, where under the
noqrishing influence OF a properly adjusted
soil, the grains would round out with that
plumpness that causeth the huSbandman to re-
ioice.
1t follows, then, that phosphoric acid is need
tul for the proper development of wheat seeds,
and moreover, rs the gluten which holds the
salts is rich in nitrogen, that element is essen
tIal to its growth. These truths are a part of
those which chemistry reveals to us respecting
the constitution of the wheat berry. New En-
gland soils are deficient in these elements Lime
and the phosphates were never stored up in
them in abundance, and through the successive
Groupings carried on by our fathers, men and
animals have absorbed into their bony frame
works the little which had ACCUMULATED during
the ages. The inference which seems to follow
from these considerations is, that we have only
to supply soil deficiencies, sow our wheat, and
casting aside all doubt and anxiety, patiently
await the abundant harvest,
Is And why should we not do this? Have we
nf Aoll cu ~ TIo,r
not learned by analysis that food is wanted and
have weno furnished it? Have we not learned
precisely the constitution OF the vegetable struc-
ture and its seeds? Do we not understand the
nature of its appetite, and how it must be fed =?
Certainly we do. Why then should we meet
with failures Because, we cannot bring under
| control all the conditions of vegetable growth
We could better command success were there
no uncomfortable influences to be taken into
account. The chemist cannot order meteoro-
logical agencies, He finds in his examination
of plants that they contain an abundance OF
water, and he also learns that vast quantities
arc constantly being eXhaled during growth,
and still another most important fact stands
out for reuognitidnI the food he supplies must
be soluble in water, and, by its agency, Yoyaged
through the microscopic canals to its appropr-
| ate resting place. Water, then, is needlul for
| perfect development of plants and seeds, Heat
| also must be supplied. The clouds must let
| drop the rain, and solar rays supply the dfill-
siye warmth, else the husbandman returns from
his harYests in sorrow, and science fails to aid
him. Let us not uniustly condemn its teach
ings, because it is unable to control the caprices
| of the seasons.
1t is seldom, however, that crops utterly fail
| from the Withholding Of heat and moisture
| Our fields are lean because of starvation, be-
cause we do notsupply through the soil the food
which plants require.
Chemistry teaches what had already been
md rap
in feeding vegetable growths, the kind of ali
ment demanded differs in different organisms.
There are certain great families of plants which
have diversified appetltes, and they must be
| gratiled in their tastes or they refuse 10 bring
forth their like. We know what they require
and we obtain hints as regards the best method
of supplying their wants.-Jouradl Of Chenlis
| tru