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for the German agriculture should, in proper manner, be brought 

 about.' " 



'This point, gentlemen," so he said, "concerns, as far as I 

 can see, the cardinal the main question for the future of our 

 German agriculture. It is recognized already on all sides that 

 the application of potash (kali) salts on peat soils forms the 

 basis of their culture; it is recognized that the application of 

 potash (kali) salts to stable-manure effects a preservation of the 

 nitrogen by preventing its escape. This has been established 

 through the labors and researches of Jules Reiset, Lawes and 

 Gilbert, E. Peters, Konig and Kiesen, Morgen, Dietzell and 

 others; they have proven that without the application of potash 

 {kali) salts the nitrogen of stable-manure, as also the nitrogen- 

 economy of the soil, suffers permanent, considerable losses 

 through the formation of free, volatile ammonia; it is beyond 

 doubt to-day that potash (kali) salts and, foremost among them, 

 kainit, are, in the hands of the farmer, the infallible means to 

 keep nitrogen; it is also the case that potash (kali) salts are for 

 the richest producers of nitrogen, the leguminosae, an exceed- 

 ingly suitable fertilizer, provided, of course, rain is not wanting. 

 In one word, the potash (kali) question is to-day no longer a mere 

 question of supplying to the soil potash (kali), but it is in an 

 eminent sense a question of nitrogen, a question how everywhere, 

 on each farm, this most expensive element of plant- food, this 

 carrier of life, can be procured and husbanded. It is my duty 

 to give here before you expression to my opinion, an opinion 

 firm and without doubt, that the potash (kali) deposits form the 

 foundation and future of our German agriculture." 



And in an article published in No. 559 of the Magdeburger 

 Zcitung he writes: " I see that in the race of nations America 

 especially shows sharp weapons. To the virgin soil there is 

 added on the state institution of a homestead law, canals, 

 elevators, and cheap, quick and easy railway transportation. 

 I see that our home agriculture has to fight for life, and that if 

 she succumbs large circles will suffer. I see that the fight has 

 to be fought by us with an exhausted soil, from which our 

 fathers took, without knowing it, the essential elements without 

 replacing them. I see, by my experience of replacing them, 

 in the potash (kali) salts properly used, the salvation the 

 main weapon for the fight which will lead us to victory and 

 will regenerate our soil." 



