OF AGRICULTURE. 245 



EXPLANATION OF TEEMS. 



Absorb To soak up a liquid or gas, to take sub- 

 stances from the air, or from watery solutions. 

 Abstract To take from. 

 Acid Sour, acrid; a sour substance. 

 Agriculture The art of cultivating the soil. 

 Alkali The direct opposite of an acid, with which 



it has a tendency to unite, neutralizing. 

 Alumina The base of clay. 

 Analysis Separating into its primary parts any 



compound substance. 

 Carbonate A compound, consisting of carbonic acid 



and a base (metallic oxyde). 

 Caustic Burning. 



Chloride A compound containing chlorine. 

 Decompose To separate the constituents of any 



body from their combinations ; to decay or rot. 

 Digestion The decomposition of food in the stomach 



and intestines of animals. (Agricultural.) 

 Fermentation A kind of decomposition. 

 Gas Air ; aeriform matter. 

 Ingredient Component part of any substance. 

 Inorganic Mineral, or earthy ; not organized by 



animal or vegetable life. 

 Mulching Covering the soil with litter, leaves, or 



straw. 

 Neutralize To overcome or destroy the properties 



or effects of. 

 Organic matter That kind of matter whicn possesses 



or has possessed life, 



