Cause of Injuries by Alkalies 271 



currant in a strong solution of sugar, where it is ob- 

 served to greatly shrink in volume. So, too, it is 

 like placing meat under strong brine, and the use of 

 sugar in preserves, where there is so strong a solution 

 about the products preserved that the germs of decay 

 cannot thrive in them. 



This, then, is one of the modes by which the in- 

 jurious effects of alkalies are produced, and it should 

 be understood that it matters very little what sub- 

 stance may be in solution in the soil water, so long 

 as it is there in sufficient quantity to produce the 

 osmotic shrinkage referred to. 



Every one is familiar with the fact that too con- 

 centrated fertilizers may produce death to the plant, 

 and it may be by this action. Applying the principle 

 to the alkalies in the soil, it must be recalled that 

 these compounds are all relatively very soluble in 

 water, so that if only large quantities of water con- 

 taining even small amounts of the salts are evaporated 

 in contact with the roots of growing crops, the so- 

 lution surrounding the soil grains may become too 

 strong for good plant feeding, and even death may 

 result. 



On this fundamental principle of action, it is plain 

 that the black as well as the white alkalies fall into 

 the same category, and this, 'too, no matter what may 

 be their composition, origin or geographic range. 



It is more than probable, if not even certain, 

 that the action of some of these salts may be that of 

 true poison ; but the real nature of toxic effects is not 

 as yet understood in any full sense. 



