330 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER 



ARPII, 17, I84i' 



ANII HORTICULTURAL REGISTER. 



Edited by Joseph Breck. 



Boston, Wednesday, April 17, 1844. 



[In our last wi- gave the experiments of Saussure on 

 the :ibsorption and assiniilaliuii of humus by plants, kind- 

 ly furnished us by Dr. Oana, vvlio has further increased 

 our indehledness lo him by transcribing for onr columns 

 tlie subjoined strictures of Prof Liebjg on the above 

 named experimenls.] 



Some Remarks on the Preceding Experiments of 

 De Saussure, on the Nourishment of Plants. By 

 J. Liebig. 



By a summary of the results of I)e Saussure 's experi- 

 ments, we obtain the following facts : 



A liorse-bean, ve<;i;taiing for a fortnight in a aohilion 

 of humate of potassa. incrt-asts in vfeighl by GOOO milli- 

 grammes (6 giainmes) — 9-2.t) grs. ; and has consumed 

 for tins increase in weight, as defined by direct experi- 

 ment, 9 milligrammes of humus — (1-10 of a grain.). 



In a second experiment, a specimen of Polyganum 

 persicaria, (a marsh plant,) increased in a solution of 

 humus during a space of time not defined, 3500 milli- 

 grammes, (nearly f 4 grains,) for which it had consumed, 

 according to the calculation, ili milligrammes of humus, 

 (.002 grs ) 



In a third experiment, two specimens of Polygonum 

 persicaria increased in nine days by T centimetres (near- 

 ly 3 inches,) and bad beside ihis, shot forth roots, fir 

 which they consumed from the extract of mould, 5 mil- 

 ligrammes, (.077 of a grain.) 



These experiments, therefore, prove, with the strict- 

 est accuracy, th:il, presuming the hutnus to be absorbed 

 m this form, and in no nihcr, iis quantity — even under 

 the most favorable conditions, (where the water, in 

 which the plant vegetates, contains more humus than 

 the plant is able to absorb with that water,) is very 

 small, and that the plant in the first experiment, assimi- 

 lated in 100 days 1-10 of a grain of humus * Accord- 

 ing to 'he last experiment, two specimens of Polygonum 

 persicaria consumed together in nine days, 5 milligram- 

 mes, (.077 of a gr.) One specimen, therefore, in 100 

 days, 1-30 of a grain. 



Il follows from this, that the quantity of extract of 

 mould (by itself or combined with caibonale of potassa,) 

 absorbed by a plant, when nourished therewith under 

 the most favorable circumstances, is so small, and there- 

 fore so difficult lo define, that it is not unfair to suppose 

 the possibility of inaccuracy of observation ; thai is to 

 say, that the experimenls which go lo prove the absorp- 

 tion of huuiiis by the roots, do not possess the requisite 

 power of demonstration. 



If now, besiiles this, it can be proved, with the great- 

 est certainly, that a solution of humus experiences, by 

 the influence of the air, continual change, a true decom- 

 position, in consequence of which carbonic acid is 

 formed from its component pans, ichj, it may be asked, 

 in the new experimenls of De Saussure, lias this inllu- 

 ence o( the atmosphere, which he himself ascertained, 

 not been taken into account, in order lo explain the loss 

 in weight of the carbon in iiis test liquors ? Every one 

 who is a little conversant with M. l)e Saussuie's re- 

 searches, will easily be able to answer this qui^stion. 



Respecting the part aitributed to ammonia in vegeta- 

 tion, il lias been objected If) me that many plants, name- 

 ly, vegHiables, taste of animal manure, when it has been 

 applied lo thein in too great quantity, and that herbivo- 

 rous animals do not eat the grsss or hay of meadows ma- 

 nured wiih dung-waler. The truth o( theso facts can- 

 not be doubted, and it may be the same with those 

 plants which grow on marshy meadows, and on a soil 

 containing animal or vegetable matters in a state "f pu- 

 trefictinn, to which the atniosphf re has not free access. 



All these observations entirely piove, then, that all 

 such foreign matters lake no part in ilie pru<-ess of vege- 

 tiition of the plant ; for supposing this to bo the case, 

 all I hose odorous and vapid components of manure or 

 dung-waler, would not have preserved llieir peculiarity ; 

 for they wc.uld have lost ii necessarily, if the plant had 

 consumed tlicnn tor its developement. 



.■V plant absorbs, like a sponge, all soluble compo- 

 nents of the soil ; but in colored fluids, in solutions of 



•This is doubtless a misprint, and should be 14 days, 

 l-IO ol a grain,= in 100 days to 714 of a <Tr..iii.— 

 S. L. L). 



dying materials, the plant by absorbing them becomes 

 sick and dies. 



Now the earths of arable land and mould, in which 

 plants vegetate, most vigorously, do not contain any 

 matters that can be extracted by rain water, or which 

 dye the water— (that is, no humus soluble in water) — 

 ft>r, as I have before I'bserved nn another occasion, we 

 should easily discover them in the color of Ihe springs 

 of our meadows and of our forest brooks. And whence 

 then IS the humus derived which is required for the 

 myriads of plants vegetating in the sea ? 



The water of our wells is in general colorless and 

 transparent; in calcareous soil, it is lich in bicarbonate 

 of lime, without humus. This carbonic acid derives its 

 origin from vegetable inalter : il is liunius, which, with- 

 out dissolving, yields this gas, by its own decoinposiiion. 



The springs in meadows and marshy places, impreg- 

 nated with iron, contain il in the form ot protoxide dis- 

 solved, instead of lime, in carbonic acid — a combination 

 which forms only in the U|rper strata of mould. By 

 deepening these springs, the water ascending from be- 

 neath is found free from iron, and their contents of car- 

 bonic acid are very muuli diminished. How is it possi- 

 ble, taking in account so many well-known facts, to 

 entertain the least doubt as to the true part which mould- 

 ering vegetable humus matters act in the nutrition of 

 plants ? 



Certainly, most plants vegetate, in pure quartz irri- 

 gated with distilled water, only very scantily ; while 

 they arc developed more vigorously in good and appro- 

 priate mould. But plants require, besides water and 

 air, other conditions for the process of nutrition which 

 the quartz does not yield lo Ihein, and without which 

 they likewise vegetate scantily in mould, if these condi- 

 tions be not present. All inferences which may be 

 drawn from experiments of Ibis kind, do not possess 

 any validity in the present day. —Liebig's " .■InnaUn." 



[CrOur limited knowledge in chemical science does 

 not warrant us to attempt to decide in this case in which 

 learned " doctors disagree ;" but were we to offer an 

 opinion merely, upon the subject in dispute, we should 

 s.iy, that if Liebig has not ihe right side in the question, 

 he iias at least fortified his positions with weighty 

 arguments which il seems impossible lo reconcile with 

 the doctrine which the experiments of Saussure are 

 claimed to have proved as the true one. Some further 

 remarks of Saussure on the assimilation of humus by 

 plants, with Liebig's reply. Dr. Dana has kindly prom- 

 ised to condense for our next paper. — Ed. 



SEEDLING GRAPES. 



We are indebted to J. W. Boutelle, Esq., of Filcli- 

 burg, for roots of two varieties of seedling grapes, for 

 which we are much obliged. We have no doubt but 

 in process of lime we shall find ourselves possessed of 

 many fine varieties of grapes, raised from our own indi- 

 genous sorts, which will vie with the fiireign. If Mr 

 Boutelle will favor our Horticultural Society with spe- 

 cimens of his grapes when ripe, it will no doubt turn to 

 Ills account, provided they are superior. We should at 

 the same time advise iiini to propagate them as much as 

 possible this season, as we can assure him a good price 

 lor all the vines he can raise, if, upon comparison with 

 other native sorts, they are found to be belter. We 

 lake the liberty to publish his letter, giving a descrip- 

 tion of the varieties : 



FiUhhuTg, April 5th, 1844. 



Mr Brk.ck— Sir— Having ^ead in your paper last 

 fall, an account of an early variety of native grape, ex- 

 hibited at the Horticultural Rooms, from a lady of Qiiin- 

 cy (I think,) which you considered very fine, I send you 

 a root from a vine in a bearing state in my garden, 

 which 1 consider of superior quality, and earlier fiy two 

 or three weeks than any other in this vicinity, and per- 

 haps than the Quincy lady's, [Mrs. Crehore ] It ri- 

 pens here the second week in September, and 1 Ihink in 

 the vicinity of Boston, it would ripen much sooner. I 

 cannot ji'we n very accurate description of it : il is a very 

 rich grape, « seedling, a good bearer, aud resembles the 

 Black Muscadine, according lo "Prince's Treatise on 

 Ihe Vine," and is considered by those who are acquaint- 

 ed Willi il tht best in Fitchbxtrg. 



I also send a native variety which I consider a vi 

 excellent grape; its berries ate large, round and wh 

 except where exposed to the sun, and then a very li| 

 red, or rather a flesh-color ; skir. very thin, with liule 

 no pulp when fully ripe. If you shall think these vii 

 eties worth cultivating, I shall be happy in having or 

 tribuled my mile toward the cultivalion of so goot, 

 kind of fruit as the Grape. I will send you so 

 grapes from ihese vines (which 1 intended lo have di 

 last year, but my grapes were nearly destroyed by 

 rose bug) next fall, when I hope you will give liter 

 name. Yours, with respect, 



J. W. BOUTELLE 



MASS. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

 exhibition of fruits. 



Saturday, Jlpril 6, 1844 

 The President of the Society presented some fines 

 cimens of the Lady Sweeting Apple, from the establi 

 mem of Messrs. Downing, of Newburg, N. Y. Th 

 were highly flavored, good size, and finely colored. 1 

 apples were accompanied with scions, which will 

 distributed at our next meeting. 



Fine specimens were also exhibited by the Preside 

 of an Apple, name unknown. From its size and fi 

 appearance, wo suspect it is fiom the Emjiire Slate : 

 flavor first rate. 



Il would give us pleasure to receive specimens 

 fruits, during the season, from our friends in westi 

 New York. For the Committee, 



S. WALKER, Chvin 



EXHIBITION OF FRUITS. 



Saturday, April 13, 1844 

 The first of the new, and the last of the old crop 

 Grapes, were this day presented by J. F. Allen, Esq., 

 Salem — viz: specimens of Black Hamburg, finely c 

 ored and of good flavor. Also, u cluster of the v 

 Black Prince, of last season, perfectly sound as th 

 were when taken from the vine. They were somewl 

 shriveled, but otherwise in good order, and of excellt 

 flavor. Mr Allen also presented some fine, ripe St. i 

 chael Figs. For the Cominitleo, 



S. WALKER, CUmn. 



EXHIBITION OF FLOWERS. 



From Wm. E. Carter, Botanic Garden, Cambriclg 

 Azalea Phoenecium, Smithii, Hybrida and Coccinne 

 very beautiful specimens. We hope to see this interei 

 ing and beautiful family of plants more generally cul 

 vated than they are at present. The tender varieties a 

 verv well adapted to parlor cultivation, and will flow 

 profusely with very little management. The bar 

 sorts, which are very numerous, are liighly ornament 

 and add much to the brilliancy of the shrubbery or bi 

 der. For the Committee, 



JOSEPH BRECK, Chmn. 



EXHIBITION OF VEGETABLES. 



From Edward Savage, G stalks of blanched Khobar 

 grown in the garden of Mr George Eaton, of Sprin 

 field, which were very much admired for their beau 

 and delicacy. They measured 3 feet 7 inches in lengt 

 The following letter to the editor if Ibis paper, accoi 

 panied them. It would be gratifying to receive an a 

 count of the process by which they were produced 

 this early season ; 



Springfield, April 11, '44. 

 Mr J. Breck — Dear Sir — I send G stalks of Kliubar 

 from Mr George Eaton's gerden, in this town. The 

 G stalks are from a parcel of 20, and is the fourth pul 

 ing this season- Mr Eaton uncovered Ihe roots the 9 

 of March, and on tlie SDth of that month, (just 20 daj 

 after,) he pulled 14 stalks, equal in quality lo those 

 send you. You will please exhibit these on Saturda' 

 at the Society's room, provided they are worth the n' 

 lice. Most respectfully, yours, 



EDWARD SAVAGE. 



ICrThe favors of Dr. Jackson, " B." and other art 

 cles, are necessarily deferred till our next. 



