EXPLANATION OF TERMS. 



Absorb— to soak up a lic^uid or gas, or to take substances from air 

 or from watery solutions. 



Abstract — to take from. 



Acid — sour ; a sour substance. 



Agriculture— the art of cultivating the soil. 



AxKALi — the direct opposite of au acid, with which it has a tenden- 

 cy to unite. 



Alximina — the base of clay. 



Analysis— separating into its primary parts any compound sub- 

 stance. 



Carbonate— a compound, consisting of carbonic acid and an alkali. 



Caustic — burning. 



Chloride — a compound containing chlorine. 



Clevis— that part of a plow by which the drawing power is attached. 



Decompose— to separate the constituents of a body from their com- 

 binations, forming simple substances into new compounds. 



Digestion — the dccompositiou of food in the stomach and intestines 

 of animals (agricultural). 



Dew — deposit of the insensible vapor of the atmosphere on cold 

 surfaces. 



Excrement — the matter given out by the organs of plants and ani- 

 mals, being those parts of their food which tliey are unable to 

 assimilate. 



Fermentation — a kind of decomposition. 



Gas — air — aeriform matter. 



Ingredient — component part. 



Inorg.vnic— mineral, or earthy, not organized by animal or vegeta- 

 ble life. 



Mouldboard — that part of the surface plow which turns the sod. 



Mulching — covering the soil with litter, leaves, or otter refuse 

 matter. See p. 212. 



Neutralize — to overcome the characteristic properties or efifects of . 



Organic Matter — that kind of matter which possesses or has pos- 

 sessed an organized (or living) form. 



Oxide — a compound of oxygen with metal. 



Phosphate — a compound of phosphoric acid with an alkali. 



Pungent — pricking. 



PUTREFACTION^rOttiUg. 



Saturate— to fll the pores of any substance, as a sponge with wa- 

 ter, or charcoal with ammonia. 



Silicate— a compound of silicic acid with an alkali. 



Soluble — capable of being dissolved. 



Solution— a liquid containing another substance dissolved in it. 



Saturated Solution — one which contains as much of the foreign 

 substance as it is capable of holding. 



Spongioles — the absorbent ends of roots. 



Sulphate— a compound of sulphuric acid with an alkali. 



Vapor— (see "gas''). 



