34 QUARTERLY JOURNAL 



MANURES— THEIR ACTION. 



We know of no subject in the whole field of agriculture wher« 

 judicious and well conducted experiments are more needed, thar 

 in reference to this. The absolute use of manure is denied by m 

 intelligent farmer at the present day, but nothing definite or fixec 

 in relation to their mode of action — the manner and the prope:' 

 time for applying them so as to produce the greatest effect — tb 

 kind proper to be used upon different crops — in fine, we may say 

 nothing at all is known in regard to their specific use. Leadinj 

 agriculturists have been greatly at fault here. Agricultural societie 

 have not directed that attention to the subject which they ought 

 Every man who tills an acre of land owes it to himself and to hi 

 own interest, setting aside his duty to the general interest, to in 

 vestigate the matter in the most thorough way he can. Experiment 

 only can determine the question, and they have not been madf 

 In the absence of facts then, we shall indulge a little in theorizin 

 upon a few points in connection with this subject, hoping the 

 something may be suggested which will lead to practical results. 



1. Do manures owe their efficacy to their organic or inorgam 

 portions ? * This may seem to many a small matter, or one d< 

 serving no notice. It seems so to us, we are free to acknowledgt 

 in a practical point of view. But since many men of no sma 

 eminence have decided, some in favor of one portion and some ( 

 another, we may be pardoned for noticing it. Ever since tH* 

 theory has been upheld by the professed followers of Liebig, th; 



• We use these terms in their ordinary acceptation. But we must confess that v 

 have never been able to unilersland why lime or potash should be called inoTgan 

 any more than oxygen, k.c. Their relations to the organs and in the organs 

 plants are all similar. The one class are as necessary component parts of the pla 

 as the other. We presume the names have arisen from the old idea, that the so call' 

 organic substances were all that actually constituted the i)lant, the inorganic beii 

 only accidentally present. We would therefore suggest the adoption of somethii 

 like the following alteration: 



a. Inorganic matter — all simple substances found in the composition of living bodi 

 —potassium— sodium — oxygen— carbon, &c. &c. 



b. Organized matter — the parts of living bodies composed of these simple substanc 

 — woody fibre— bark — muscle — nerves, Sic. 



c. Organic mattei — the products of organized matter — sugar — gum — oil — starch 

 &c. &c. 



This appears to be a much more consistent nomenclature. 



II 



