446 [Assembly 



bles and plants. Alumina, sulphate and phosphate, are absorb- 

 ents of ammonia from the atmosphere, which they fix in the soil, 

 ready to be taken up by plants. 



Silica, silicates of soda, potash, lime, magnesia and alumina, 

 are found in all sand stones, flint, quartz, &c., and in the ash of 

 all plants. Oxides, sulphurets, carbonates, and sulphates of iron, 

 are found in the ash of most plants. Oxides, carbonates, chlo- 

 rides, and sulphates of manganese, exist in plants, but in less 

 quantity than those of iron. Soils differ in their properties and 

 constitution, chemically speaking, still they all contain more or 

 less organic matter. 



There are many theories published accounting for the operation 

 of manures in promoting the growth of vegetables, none of which 

 are satisfactory to me. The common opinion is, that the substances 

 employed as manures, contain those principles "which constitute 

 the food of plants, and which are a^bsorbed by thejr roots. One 

 opinion is, that manures act by bringing soils to such a consistence 

 as is favorable to the growth of the roots of vegetables, and to 

 affording them water in proper quantity. Another opinion, that 

 the manures act as stimuli to the roots of vegetables, and thus 

 excite them to a more vigorous action. Some think that manures 

 act as solvents on matters previously contained in the soil, and 

 thus fit them for entering the roota of phmts ; and others, that 

 they act chemically, by forming combinations which a:e favora- 

 ble to vegetation. 



The Secretary remarked that the reference of the great question 

 of vegetation by the intelligent Jersey farmer, to this Club or to 

 any other Club, is an act of wdsdom — long ago recommended in 

 the ancient maxim of a multitude of counsellors. It is unques- 

 tionably true, too, that there is an indispensible necestity for an 

 universal diffusion among men (as Simpson said,) of all know- 

 ledge Teachers are wanted everywhere, especially in agriculture, 

 which has many times fallen off more than any other department 

 of human knowledge. We might speak of its fallen state here in 

 *his proud western world, of original soils and growth, seemingly 

 inexhaustible. 



