126 The Limestones, and Lime. [March, 



100.256 



The analysis of the ash of the bean leaf is incomplete; but it 

 still serves the purpose for which we have introduced its compo- 

 sition. It shows the quantity of lime which enters into the com- 

 position of its inorganic parts. 



With such facts before us, it seems plain that it is quite unne- 

 cessary to attempt to construct a labored theory of the use of lime 

 in agriculture. We find it plainly set forth in the fact that it is 

 a necessary and essential part of the vegetable tissue. And 

 though we may not now know the precise combination which it 

 forms, still we have some reason for supposing that it is in com- 

 bination with crenic and apocrenic acids, or in combination with 

 an organic acid. And though it may appear in the laboratory, that 

 some of these combinations are far from being as soluble as we 

 should expect; still, it must be remembered that vegetables which 

 have life in themselves, possess a power over those combinations 

 which chemists do not possess; and that we have no right to infer 

 that because we are unable to effect a ready solution of a sub- 

 stance, that hence vegetables cannot take it up and convert it to 

 their use. 



We might proceed farther, and show that lime, in order to ex- 

 hibit clear and pcrcei)tible effects in vegetation, the soil must be 

 furnished with organic matter; or, in other words, that its effects 

 and influences upon vegetation will be modified by the condition 

 of the soil. But as we propose to resume the subject on another 

 occasion, we shall let it drop for the present. 



