(115) 



^fter this process is ended, putrefaction takes charge, which 

 «oon resolves the body into its original elements; and they 

 -are then ready to aid in the construction of another living 

 body. Thus nothing is ever lost. It may change its loca- 

 tion ; the plant that grew at the head of a mountain torrent 

 may ultimately enter into the composition of a sugar cane 

 in the delta of the Mississippi, but it is still in the universe, 

 flilently performing its duties. . 



Many things contain salts available to the agriculturist. 

 Lime, ashes, plaster of Paris (sulphate of lime), saltpetre, 

 •common salt, phosphate of lime, bone dust, coal ashes, hair, 

 hoofs, horns, copperas, and many others. Some of these 

 ■substances have to be used sparingly, such as salt or cop- 

 peras, but all are beneficial to growing plants. 



These substances act chemically, and free a great many 

 inert matters. Growing plants absorb vast quantities of 

 ■carbonic acid through their leaves, and carrying it down, 

 throw it into the soil, where it acts upon silica and allumina, 

 freeing salts for their growth. 



Wood and coal ashes are Very rich in the salts, and furnish 

 one of the cheapest and best additions that can be made to 

 land. Coal ashes are not so rich in the various salts, but 

 contain enough to merit a better fate than is generally 

 awarded them. 



The composition of wood ashes is a follows: 



Two hundred parts of wood ashes contain 



Per cent. 



Carbonic acid 58.53 



Sulphuric acid 6.43 



Phosphoric acid 3.40 



Muriatic acid 1.82 



Lime 50.35 



Magnesia 4.55 



Potash and soda 67.96 



Silex 5.22 



Oxide iron 50 



Oxide manganese 1.10 



Water 14 



200.00 



