278 State Boakd ok Aguicui.tuke, &c. 



THE ANALYSIS OF EERTILIZEIIS, 



BY HENRY M. SEELY, OF MIDDLEBURY, 



The analysis of plants has shown their relation to the soil 

 in which they are anchored and to the atmosphere in which 

 they spread their green parts. The larger part of the plant 

 comes directly or indirectly from the atmosphere and goes 

 back to the atmospiiere through burning or decay, The 

 little residue or ash has come from the soil. 



Analysis has further shown that out of the fifty-three ele- 

 ments composing the atmosphere and the earth, plants select 

 but few for food. Chiefly among these are carbon, oxygen, 

 hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, 

 iron, sulphur, phosphorus, silicon and chlorine. Other ele- 

 ments are sometimes found but their presence is thought to 

 be accidental rather than necessary. 



These elements in some combined or co mpounded form 

 are taken and appropriated by the plant. Quoting from 

 Prof. kS. W. Johnson we have the following facts in regard 

 to the nutrition of plants : 



" In regard to the food of plants, it has been settled that 

 potash, lime, magnesia, iron, phosphoric acid, and sul- 

 phuric acid must be furnished to all agricultural plants 

 through their roots and by the soil, in order to their growth 



