The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1896-08-26
FERTILIzING FERMENTs.

albuminoid bodies and contains but
little humus, the attempt to develop q
more vigorous nitrifying terment would
be of little utility. Even in soil con-
tanning a considerable degree of humus,
it may be found that its nitrogen con-
tent has been so far reduced as to leave
nothing practically available for the
activity Of notification. In such cases
the only rational method of procedure is
in the application of fertilizers contain
ing nitrogen. In other cases where the
lack Of fertility is due to the extinction
or attenuation of the nitrilying ferment,
remunerative results may be obtained
by some process of seeding similar to
that described above. 1t is entirely
within the range of posi- bility that
there may be developed in the labora-
tory species of nitrifying organisms
which are particularly adapted for
action on different heterogeneous bodies.
For instance, the organism which is
found most effective in the oxidation Of
albuminoid matter may rot be We IL
suited to convert amides or the inert
nitrogen of humus into nitric acid. We
have already seen the day when the
butter maker sends to laboratory for
ferment best suited TO the ripening Of
his cream. 1t may not be long until the
farmer may apply to the laboratory for
particular nitrifying ferments to be APP
piled to such special purposes as are
mentioned above. Because Of the ex
treme minuteness Of these organisms the
too practical agronomist may laugh at
the idea of producing fertility thereby,
and this idea, indeed, would be Of no
value were 1t not for the wonderful
facility of propagation which an organ
ISM of this kind has when exposed to a
favorable environment. 1t is true that
the pure cultures which the laboratory
would afford would be of little avail if
limited to their own activity, and it is
alone in the possibility of their almost
illimitable development that their fer.
tilizing effects may be secured.
NUMBERS AND KINDS OF NITRIFYING OR.
GANIsMs
In regard to the numbers and kinds of
organisms which take part in the oXida-
ton of heterogeneous bodies, our know
ledge is limited. 1t has already been
noted that a great many seecies take
part in the production of ammonia
The purely nitrous and nitric ferments
seem to of more limited character,
but it must not be forgotten that scarcely
a beginning has been made in the inves-
tigation of these bodies, and it is entirely
| probable that the great differences in
their nature will be established. 1t is
not at all likely, for instance, that a
nitrifying organism such as exerts its
activity in an ordinary soil under ordi-
nary conditions would belong to spe-
cies which was capable Of development
and work in an entirely different me-
dunn. There are in the arid regions
lndubitable evidences of strong nitriica-
tions in the presence of highly alkaline
salts While it is true that slight
alkalnity favors the ordinary form OF
nitrifying activity, it is likewise certain
that such organisms would be practi-
caly paralyzed if subjected to the aka
line environment of the arid plains. Ii
is therefore highly desirable that the
investigation of these organisms be