THE LOSS OF NITKOGEI>r. 99 



in the soil itself before it readies the plant, these figures 

 might be realized. At present, they do but give the 

 possible result of an unattainable economy, and they can 

 only be kept before us as a goal at which to aim rather 

 than as one which we may expect to reach 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE LOSS OF NITROGEN.* 



The Loss of Nitrogen in purchased manures ; Tlie loss of Nitrogen as 



Nitric Acid. 



B^ J. B. LAWES, LL.D., F. R. S. 



On the Loss of Xitrogen in Purchased Manures when 

 Applied to Crops. — There is one great advantage that 

 writers on the subject of Agriculture in the United States 

 possess over the same class in Great Britian; they are 

 sure to obtain an impartial hearing. In the United 

 States a farmer, on coming across any views, or state- 

 ments on the subject of agriculture that are new to him, 

 asks himself the question, are these true; and, if so, 

 what benefit can I derive from them? In Great Britain, 

 from the conflicting interests of the owner of the land, 

 and the occupier who pays an annual rent for the right to 

 cultivate it, the teachings of science are likely to be 

 praised or blamed accordingly as they affect the interests 



* Nitrogen is one of the most important constituents of barn-jard and 

 of artificial fertilizers. When purchased it is the most costly element in 

 fertilizers, and whatever relates to its loss, and incidentally to its pres- 

 ervation, is of great importance to the farmer. In view of this, the ac- 

 counts in this chapter of some experiments at Rothamsted, England, 

 written for the "American Agriculturist" by Sir J. B. Lawes, will be 

 read with special interest. 



