The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-06-26
SILICA IN THE SOIL

An Y,auortant Element Of Plant Growth
When Properly Blended with Other Ele-
ments.
Soils range in quality from nearly
pure sand to that of stiff clay. A
mixture of sand and clay. being inter-
mediate between the two, makes the
best soil, but its productive quality de-
ponds upon the amount of humus. or
vegetable matter, contained therein. All
soils contain proportion OF lime, pot
ash, nitrogen and phosphoric acid. and
upon the relative proportions of these
substances depends the productveness
of the soil. These ingredients are uSu-
ally more plentiful in heavy soils than
in these that are light, but their availa-
bility as plant-food depends upon their
composition and solubility in water.
For example, silica, which is pure
quartz sand, or flint, can not be dis
solved in water. and hence, while it
may be plentiful, yet may be deficient,
for the reason that plants can not as
simulate it Silica composes the soil or
bony structure of plants 1t stifiens
them, and the stalks of wheat would
fall TO the ground but for silica. To
render silica of service nature provides
that other substances unite with it and
thereby change its character or form.
Man himself decomposes silica and
changes it to glass, and in almost the
same manner as is done in natures lab
oratory. Thus, in glass-factories pure
sand is placed in reverberatory fur
mace, with \ proport;onate quantity Of
potash Cor soda) according to the in
gradients used. These aikalies lose
their characteristics. as does also the
silica. and we have glass instead of the
original substances. Consequently sill
icate of potash is glass. which may be
moulded into any shape desired. If.
however, an extra quantity of alkali be
added to the sand it becomes more sol
uble, and can be dissolved in water.
This compound, which can be made of
any degree of solubility. is known as
water-glass. or soluble silicate of pot
ash.
The same thing takes place in the soil
as in the glass factory. Wea apply wood
ashes to the soil (potash) or salt (chlo-
ride of sodium) and the soil, as it is
gradually heated. with the aid of the
plant rootlets, (Which assist in hasten
ing the proceSS), converts the silica into
soluble silicates- This may be seen by
examination of the plants as they pro-
gress in growth. Visit corn-field, and
YOU will notice on the outer edges of
the blades a keen, hard substance,
which is capable of cutting the flesh
like glass, and many are sometimes in-
iured by the blades in that manner
Now, this sharp substance on the edges
of the blades of corn is composed of
glass and is almost identical in compO-
sition with many of the compounds OF
the glass factory. 1t is first taken up
in a soluble form by the plant. and used
as part of its structure. When re-
dered soluble by decomposition than
previous to being taken up in its orig
inal condition.
We will notice therefore that while
potash and soda serve as plant food
these substances are also capable OF
demolishiug much of the inert matter
of the soil, and lime assists to render
the other alkalies serviceable by break
ing up their combinations. 1t is not
necessary to apply silica to the soil, for
it is always present in plentiful guam
t:ty. but the farmer who. makes use of
lime, potash, nitrogen and phosphorie
acid, not only adds so much plant food
but induces, by their use. innumerabls
chemical changes, that pass from one
substance to another, in So complets .
manner as to make entirely new COM
pounds of Them, just as. silica and the
alkalies form glass. the result being
beneficial from the fact that while some
compounds are entirely soluble. others
are readily and easily appropriated by
plants and converted into salable prod
ucts of vaIue.-f'dTm, Field and Stock
man.