14 The Relation of the Atmosphere to Agriculture. 



clover, vetches, etc. The names of some of the principal scientists who 

 have solved this problem are : Sir. J. H. Gilbert, who for more than 

 half a century has been associated with Sir John B. Lawes in agricultural 

 research, Wagner, Hellriegel, Willfarth, Frank and Warrington. Their 

 successful work in determining beyond all doubt that the legumes have 

 this power, marks the most important and valuable discovery in 

 agricultural science of the present day. It means practically that the 

 soil-nitrogen, exhausted by the growth of cereals and other farm crops, 

 can be readily and cheaply restored by " green manuring" with one or 

 other of the legumes their nitrogen for the most part having been 

 appropriated from the atmosphere. 



The exact way in which these plants are able to appropriate free 

 nitrogen is not known, but the fact has been ascertained that the 

 assimilation is directly connected with the presence and development of 

 certain tubercles or nodules on the roots. These tubercles contain 

 micro-organisms, whose apparent function it is to absorb the atmospheric 

 nitrogen, present in the interstices of the soil, and convert it into com- 

 pounds of its host. We have here an excellent example of symbiosis, 

 and one which must in the future prove of immense value to agricul- 

 turists and indirectly to the community in general. 



THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 



The fourteenth meeting of the Royal Society of Canada will be 

 held in Ottawa on the 15th, 16th and 17th of May, 1895. 



In a circular letter received from Dr. J. O. Bourinot, C.M.G., 

 Hon. Secretary of the Royal Society, the members of the Ottawa 

 Field Naturalists' Club are invited to contribute papers or articles for 

 the approaching meeting of that Society. 



Our President, Mr. F. T. Shutt, has been chosen by Council to 

 represent us on that occasion. Any member of the Club desirous of 

 submitting papers should communicate with him at as early a date 

 as possible, so that the necessary arrangements may be made for their 

 presentation before the proper section. 





