CARBON 55 



when fuels and foods are oxidized. Commercially, the 

 compounds of carbon are of great importance as they 

 are found in foods, fuels, and in all animal and plant 

 products. 



Carbon is found in the air in the form of carbon dioxid 

 in sufficient amounts for the production of crops. It is 

 also found in large amounts in human and animal foods; 

 but because of its abundant presence, and its distribution 

 in balanced form, it has not been considered to take such 

 an important part economically in the production of plants 

 as the element nitrogen. It is, however, equally impor- 

 tant, although its natural distribution is such that it does 

 not require as much effort, on the part of man, to obtain 

 it as other forms of food materials. Nevertheless, the 

 carbon compounds, particularly in food materials, should 

 not be disregarded or considered of little or no importance 

 because of their abundance. In the study of foods and 

 the study of soils and fertilizers, some of the compounds 

 of carbon are considered more in detail. 



