70 



EFFECT OF ALKALI ON GEINE. 



seems a wise provision, of a far-reaching Providence, 

 that an element of soil, which has been and can be 

 produced, by the decay of organic bodies only, and 

 chiefly by plants on its surface, should not be borne 

 away by the first falling shower. 



126. Not less important to the farmer, are the re- 

 lations of geine to alkalies, its solubility is wonder- 

 fully increased by their action ; this is a most valu- 

 able, because available property ; it allows the farm- 

 er to bring into use, by the application of alkalies,' 

 the geine, which, in its insoluble state is quite use- 

 less. This remarkable property, is not confined to 

 that portion of geine, which it may be supposed, is 

 chemically combined with alkali. Alkali, by the 

 mere action of presence, by its catalytic action, 

 which will be hereafter explained, renders an indefi- 

 nite, but large quantity of geine soluble in water. 

 This is a principle of high practical value, and were 

 the results of the principles detailed in the fore- 

 going pages, to terminate in this fact, that alone 

 rightly pondered, would account for a vast number 

 of facts, in vegetable physiology, and lead to new 

 views in the pursuit of agriculture, not less import- 

 ant than practical. 



127. Hitherto the action of geine on soil only, 

 has been considered, and its chemical composition 



