112 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



SECOND DAY. 



Wednesday, Dec. 3. 

 The Board met at 10 o'clock. 



ON SO:\IE IIOIME RESOURCES OF FERTILIZERS— WITH PARTIC- 

 ULAR REFERENCE TO NITROGEN PLANT-FOOD. 



BY CHARLES A, GOESSMANN. 



Among the few elements thus far generally recognized as 

 essential for the growth of plants, there is none more con- 

 spicuotis than nitrogen. A diiference of opinion of leading 

 scientific invcstiijators regarding the extent of its availahle 

 natural resources for agricultural purposes, and its influence 

 on the successful cultivation of farm crops has rendered it a 

 most prominent topic of controversy in the agricultural litera- 

 ture of a more recent date. 



As years of careful experimental inquiry in the labora- 

 tory, the plant-house, and upon the field have since greatly 

 advanced our information concerning these questions, it 

 seemed to me a suitable task to open the discussion assigned 

 for this morning with a short exposition of the vicAvs which 

 are at present entertained by agricultural chemists regarding 

 these points. 



First — I propose therefore, if acceptable, to treat on the 

 properties of nitrogen and its relation to plant-life. 



Secondbj — The natural sources of nitrogen for agricultural 

 purposes, with reference to their agricultuisal value. 



I. 



THE PROPERTIES OF NITROGEN AND ITS RELATION TO PLANT- 

 LIFE. 



Nitrogen in its elementary condition represents seventy- 

 seven weight parts of the air ; it exists in every natural body 

 of water, and it permeates all kinds of soil. 



In combination with hydrogen, as ammonia, and with oxy- 

 gen, as nitrous and nitric acid, it forms in small quantities a 

 constant admixture of both air and soil. Whilst united with 



