HOMGEOPATHY IN AGRICULTURE. 199 



nitrogen, and never see any results, because in the latter the 

 nitrogen is so insoluble that plants gain no benefit from it, or 

 if they do, so slowly that the results are not apparent. 

 Dried fish, for example, applied to the surface of grass land 

 is never satisfactory, cither because it loses its ammonia into 

 the air, or because the process of decay is so slow that no 

 results are witnessed ; but when the same dried fish is applied 

 in the soil, where it is converted into nitric acid or some 

 active agent, then it becomes a valuable plant food, thus 

 showing that fish when applied under certain conditions is 

 effective, but reverse those conditions, and it becomes almost 

 a worthless fertilizer. Indeed, the same holds true of all 

 other ammoniates, when applied without chemical treatment, 

 exceptinor chemicals. 



If it seems necessary to have the ammonia and phosphoric 

 acid available, what must be said of the potash? The gran- 

 ite rocks of our hills contain enough potash for all our crops 

 for all eternity. Those who think it advisable to use phos- 

 phate rock in its natural condition should with equally good 

 reason recommend the application of granite rock. To be 

 sure, it is not as rich in plant food, but the plant that can 

 find the thousandth part of a grain of nitrogen can also find 

 the most minute quantities of potash ; yet no grinding, hoAV- 

 ever minute, or even chemical dissolving, has rendered in a 

 practicable way the potash of these rocks immediately avail- 

 able. Therefore for our potash we are compelled to fall 

 back u[)on other forms which are soluble in water, and hence 

 beneficial. The rocks have been, and still are, the great 

 sources of potash. Virgin soil represents the accumulation 

 of untold ages, which the husbandman in his greed and 

 hurry can exhaust in one generation. Would it be wise for 

 us, who are raising quick crops, and competing with the 

 AVest and South, to depend upon the granite rocks for our 

 potash? Yet such should be the advice of those who urge 

 the application of fertilizers in their natural state. 



It seems to me that there can be but one conclusion, and 

 that is, that the availability of all the essential elements of 

 plant food is of chiefest importance. We have plowed and 

 planted ; the seed has come up, and gives promise of a fair 

 harvest. Perhaps we have staked all on that harvest, — the 



