Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-15
Nitrogen in Plants.

The editor of the Indiana Farmer says
caIbonic acid, water aud ammonia are
thethree chemical compounds from the
elements of which the organic structure
of tle vegetable world is built up. Sew
eralmineral substances are represented
in the ashes of plants which are more or
less important in the growth OF plants,
but We do not propose to consider these
now. The three compounds above named,
which are concerned in organic strue-
lures. supply but four elements for the
work. Carbonic acid is composed Of one
atom of carbon and two OF oxygen; water
consists OF two atoms Of hydrogen and
one of nitrogen, and ammonia has one
atom Of nitrogen TO three Of hydrogen.
Carbon In Its primitive state is a solid,
incapable of being melted by any heat or
dissolved in any fluid; yet alta moderate
temperature it combines with oxygen
(burns) and the result is an invisible
gas, capable OF being dissolved in cold
water or in the air. This carbonic acid
(carbon di-oxide of the chemists) is al
ways present in the atmosphere, being
supplied by the decomposition Of all Or
ganic substances. Every rain that falls
washes out a portion OF it, aud hence
rain-Water is always more or less charged
with carbonic acid; and the leaves Of the
whole vegetable world are constantly con-
suming it during the growing season. BY
these means the accumulation OF carbonlc
acid is prevented and the air made fit to
support animal life, for earbonic acid is
poisonous when breathed in a strong mix
ture. From this source more than half
the weight Of the vegetable world Is de-
rived. This is provided in the air, with
Dut any care from the farmer, except to
provide healthy leaves to absorb aud APP
prOpriate iL'
Water. composed OF hydrogen and oxy-
gen. furnishes these elem ents abundant
iy 10 growing plants, as general rule,
without any care on the part OF the hus.
bandman. Moreover, it is the universal
solvent. by means OF which all plant food
is rendered liquid; and which also acts as
carrier to distribute nutrition to all
parts or the plant or animal.
Ammonia is the ultimate compound
from which plants derive their nitrogen.
Though nitric acid may act promptly as
a nltrogenous manure, yet in the sap OF
plants we have not been able to detect
mat acid-there it is always ammonia, by
me anamalous substitution OF hydrogen
Tor oxygen. This is the most difficult ele-
nent 20 maintain 3 supply OF that the
farmer has 10 furnish tor his crops. Tnis
a not so much on account OF the scarcity
n ammonia as In the difficulty OF retain
inc IL. When organized bodies decay,
whether animals or plants, the nitrogen
new contain takes 10 itself hydrogen
from decomposed water, and ammonia
IA formed. This heing light volatile gas
masses into the air 20 float about in that
atmosphere ocean TN It Is washed out
by the falling rain, or taken up BY some
absorbent. BY these means It Is Impair
daily distributed over forests and helds'
lakes and rivers, and even the ocean gets
as dividend, but nothing is lost, for as
,oon AZ the sun warns up the moisiened
,erth. ammonia returns 20 the air again'
nnless il meets with something 70 retain
IN this lower world. Now this is Just
moro the care Of the farmer comes IN. II
liz buaibess 70 catch and hold tae sil