The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1884-08-30

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While IL is true that the vigorous
growth OF vegetation depends largely
on the condition and composition OF
the soil from which it grows, yet the
soil contributes but a small per cent. OF
the material used in that growth. II
we take a plant and carefully burn IL,
the ash which remains will represent
the material drawn from tho soil, and
this Is seldom more than three or four
per cent. and often less than one. The
great mass OF material used in vegota-
bic growth is derived from the air by
the leaf machinery. II vegetable mat
ter be exposed to a high heat in exclu-
sion from the air, a mass OF charcoal
will remain. which is nearly pure car
bon. This Is derived from carbonic acid
| gas carbon do oxide), which is always
| mixed with the atmosphere 10 n greater
| or less extent. This Is absorbed by the
leaf and decomposed in its cell struct.
ure by the joint action Of the life force
in the plant and the suns rays. The
oxygen Is given back 10 the air. and
the carbon Is appropriated to the pro-
duction OF gum starch, sugar and woody
fiber, for all these are composed OF car.
bon and the elements OF water.
But before a particle Of this carbon
can DO organized and built into n veg
etablc form, there must DO present 0
substance containing nitrogen, which
is derived from ammonia or nitric acid.
In vegetable composition this substance
takes the form OF gluten albumen, OF
c~aseine, Familiarity known rs that which
gives adhesiveness to wheat dough, OF
as seen in the white OF an egg, or in
cheese. Now. nitrogen Is literally dis.
tributcd In nature. 1t forms four-iifths
Of the atmosphere, and is, to q limited
extent, found in all organic bodies.
whether animal or vegetable. But In
its simple, uncombined condition, as Il
exists in the air, 1t can not be appropri-
ated by growing vegetation, and II has
n wonderful aversion to entering into
chemical combinations. In the decom-
position OF animal and vegetable sub
stances the nitrogen takes the form OF
ammonia and passes into air as n gas.
or is dissolved in water. The strong
odor given oil from a pile Of fresh stable.
manure gives evidence OF the liberal
j contribution OF ammonia II Is making
, to the air. But though this has escaped
IRON It's rightful owner through his
carelessness, yet IL Is not lost. II floats
: in the air. ready TO BE- washed out by
the first shower that falls, or to be alb.
sorbed by the first mellow soil Il comes
In contact with.
But though these two elements Of fer
; tility may be abundant and in an avail
able form. yet II the small per cent
contributed by the soil and represented
. by tho ashes remaining after combus.
ton be absent there can be no perfect
growth. This mineral, or earthly mat.
J, ter. consists chiefly OF lime, potash,
soda. silica, phosphorus and sulphur.
Except the two last named, these ART
i compounds Of oxygen with q simple Gle
ment; aud these last named form acids
by combining with oxygen. Now. oil
y these elements OF plant food must b
! soluble In water. or exist as a gas. |,
order to be available rs plant food; and
Of course, water must be supplied 10 nc
a as q solvent and 10 carry the materis
to the various parts OF the plant wher'
Il Is TO be used.
But this formidable array Of materials
/, Of plant growth is not all to be taxed 4
the farmer. The carbonic acid and wa
ter are supplied from the atmosphere
with but little care OF his part, and th'
mineral elements exist already In thu
IN soil In \ pretty generous supply in thi
10 country. though they are not always /
\. an available form. and may DO cxhauste
}. BY constant cropping. Our soils, unde
ID steady cultivation. will need q supply q
Ia potash and phosphorus, which may b
h. furnished by the use OF wood.ashcs, o
no German potash aud bonemeal. Avail
ID able nitrogen in the form Of ammoni
l. or nitric acid is largely supplied fror
the atmosphere either by rain water q
"A from absorption by n porous soil abound
N. ing In absorbent material.
D.. Sir J. b. Lawes. BY . careful Kan
a. ination OF the rain water that fell .
TO Rothams.ed in 1881. a~scertaincd that !
an that year his fields had received. in th
a. form Of ammonia by rain-wster. 2.
ID pounds Of ammonia per acre. m
m nearly the same amount In the form
"a nitric acid. n we add to this q variabl
10, and uncertain amount absorbed Direct
IN from tho air. we will have five or 8
Is. pounds Of nitrogen. derived from u
rs air alone. on each acre OF soil. and IN
In form available for the use of crvp
u. This explains the effect Of high cultiy
ton on the fertility 81 = soil. hs veg
table loan. containing . large amouI
nc Of carbon from the decay Of organ
nd matter. b made very fine. u will q
,s sorb iron the air enough ammonia
Ipr supply The fullest demands Of grown
w srops Il the mineral elements 'te
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