QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 31 



and even of different fields, and because of a difference in the degree and 

 character of fertilizing elements remaining in tlie soil from previous manur- 

 ings. 



151. Q. What are the inorganic constituents ? Plant 



A. They are the mineral portions of plants taken into their circulation, Constituents. 

 as potash or lime. 



152. Q. How is potash extracted from plants ? Potash. 

 A. It is procured from wood ashes. It is clear, therefore, that wood 



ashes is a valuable fertilizer. 



153. Q. How is soda obtained from plants ? Soda. 

 A. It is found most largely in the ashes of sea weeds, but is present in 



small quantity in the ashes of all plants. 



154. Q. How is lime obtained from plants. Lime. 

 A. From the ashes, same as potash and soda, as it forms a part of all 



vegetable growth. 



155. Q. What is phosphate of lime ? Phosphate of 

 A. It is a combination of phosphoric acid with lime. It is the princi- ^"*«* 



pal portion of bones, the other portions being gelatine and fat. 



156. Q. From whence do plants obtain their phosphate of lime? Phosphate. 

 A. It is found in a limited extent in nearly all soils, but it is artificially 



applied in the form of bone dust, Charleston and Florida rock. 



157. Q. How do plants obtain hydrogen? Hydrogen. 

 A. From water, by the agency of their leaves, tissues and roots. 



158. Q. From whence do plants obtain nitrogen? Nitrogen. 

 A. Principally through their roots, taken up in a form of ammonia. It 



is found in the form, of vegetable albumen and gluten and in the seeds of 

 plants. Plants also respire nitrogen by their leaves. 



159. Q. How is it that there is such a variety of vegetable products? Combina- 

 A. Because of combinations in varying proportions between simple *^*»^^* 



elements. 



160. Q. What are the organic constituents of plants ? Organic 



A. They are the products of vegetable life, examples being starch, Constituents. 

 sugar, and gum. 



161. Q. What is hydrogen ? Hydrogen. 

 A. Hydrogen, like oxygen, is known in a state of gas, and is found in 



water and all combinations of animal and vegetable substances. 



163. Q. What is nitrogen ? Nitrogen. 



A. Nitrogen is also a gas, without smell, taste or color, and is found in 

 the atmosphere and in all animal and some vegetable substances. 



163. Q. How do plants get their carbon ? Carbon. 

 A. Carbon in the form of carbonic acid gas is absorbed from the air by 



plants, and to a small extent is taken by the roots from decaying vege- 

 table matter. 



164. Q. How do plants get their oxygen ? Oxygen. 

 A. From water, which they imbibe through their roots and by their 



process of leaf inspiration. They also give out oxygen when it is in 

 excess. 



