No. 144.] 341 



gen to form the ammonia, and the carbon unites with the oxygen 

 to form the carbonic acid, while another portion of the carbon (a 

 feeble one) is set at liberty, so that the equivalent of the hydro- 

 gen is absorbed by the earthy substances, or is evaporated into 

 the air. These two compounds, in their nascent state, combine 

 and form carbonate of ammonia, a salt which has the property of 

 dissolving humus in large quantities, and that is the nutritive 

 principle of plants. 



By its decomposition and the transformation of its constituent 

 principles, gelatine has a high degree of nutrition, and maintains, 

 first, a regular humidity ; second, supply to the roots off the ele- 

 ments within their reach. 



All plants contain more or less of tannin. Soils made from 

 wood are favorable to plants on account of the tannin in them. 



Blood and albumen, coagulated or dried by heat, or in solu- 

 tion, have pretty nearly the same effect as glue. But they have 

 this inconvenience : they attract flies and worms, and have an 

 unpleasant smell. 



Horn acts like glue, but is long in decomposing. 



"Watering with glue solution is very useful to young trans- 

 plants, carrots, beets, cabbages, &c., &c., and also for nursery 

 trees. 



Selection and translation by H. Meigs. 



[Journal of the Society of Arts, London.] 



IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS'. 



[By M. Leone Levi.] 

 Cultivated Land. 



■Sreat Britain and Ireland. France. United States. 



22,000,000 acres, 72,000,000 118,000,000 



Produce. 

 Wheat— 

 336,000,000 bush. 576,000,000 100,000,000 1,400,000,000 



Rgs— 

 19,000,000 ab't 5,000,000 30,000,000 



