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Vol. XIII. 



ROCHESTER, N. Y., FEBRUARY, 1852. 



Xo. II. 



AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY. 



:^1 



KCMBER II. 



I?j the January numbor of the present vohime we oflered a few remarks on what was 

 termed " an ev^er-active force in all matter, which tends to the formation of compound 

 bodies." This force was also spoken of as some times " quiescent ;" and the question 

 naturally arises in the mind of the reader, how a power which is ever-active can be occa- 

 sionally quiescent or inactive. This seeming contradiction is explained by stating tliat 

 a chemical force is ever-active toward some bodies, while it is quiescent toward others. 

 Thus, when iron and oxygen imite and form what is called the prot-oxide of that metal, 

 the force or affinity that keeps these two elements together as a compound body, is ever- 

 active ; but in reference to most other bodies this force is entirely quiescent. If, hov,- 

 ever, a little vinegar be poured iipon a simple compound of iron and oxygen, the acid 

 and oxydized metal immediately form a chemical union, producing a salt called acetate 

 of iron. In this phenomenon, it is known that the vinegar and the oxide of iron were 

 each compound bodies, whose natural forces were active and brought them into a state 

 of permanent union, so far as any chemical union can be permanent. 



In the language of chemistry, all minerals that combine with acids are called bases ; 

 and different acids and bases, and other substances, have unequal affinities, which give 

 rise to all the diversities that are found in the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms. 

 If each element in the material world Avere attracted equally toward all others, in a 

 chemical sense, all bodies would be compounded alike, without the least variety in nature ; 

 and life would be impossible as we now see it, and all matter vrould be a perfect chaos 

 again. To bring order and harmony out of confusion, it is safe to say that immutable 

 laws to govern all possible changes in matter, are indispensable. The most superficial 

 observation enables us too see the workings of these laws ; and to no other class is their 

 study more important than to the cultivators of the earth. In its application to till.'sge 

 and husbandry, chemistry is so vast a subject that we hardly know how to give it 

 a proper introduction to the reader. As we understand it, it is truly a revelation not 

 only of the workmanship, but of the will of the Creator. The laws that govern the 

 universe, and all its atoms, are his laws. To present rural science as illustrated by 

 nature, in any other light, would do injustice alike to the Law-giver and the law- 

 breakers. Man's very existence depends on physical laws, and these can not be sepa- 

 rated from his duties, or moral obligations. Chemistry and religion arc as close 

 together as the world and its maker ; or as the body of man and his reason and con- 

 science. To impoverish the natural fruitfulness of the earth is to do mankind a great 

 injury, without any excuse whatever. To avoid committing this wrong, a knowledge of 

 the laws of Providence is indispensable. Ignorance of divine laws (and all chemical or 



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