ANALYSIS OF SOILS. 
329 
quantity. If any thing, silica plays a more important part in vegetation than any other 
element, notwithstanding it is so inert to our senses. It exists, it is true, in greater pro¬ 
portion in those parts of grain which are rarely consumed by man, as the straw of the 
cereals ; yet the seed, the part used by us as food, is perfected only when the silica of the 
straw is in due proportion. Hence it may be, that, in many soils, the very want of soluble 
silica is the only reason why the cereals are not raised and cultivated successfully. If so, 
it is at once suggested that here is a case to which Liebig’s manures would be specially 
adapted. 
Silica is rendered soluble by the action of potash and the alkalies : if it is fused with 
them, it becomes perfectly soluble in water. We may suppose, however, that the mere 
addition of ashes to a soil wanting in soluble silica, would secure the attainment of the 
object sought: they would dissolve, or, in other words, enter into combination with the 
silica of the soil, and thus supply the great desideratum. 
If we look carefully over the many analyses of grains and other vegetable products, we 
can scarcely fail to be convinced that none of the elements which appear in the foregoing 
analyses are unimportant: they are wanted by different vegetables in different proportions ; 
but all are wanted, and all are consumed. It may be that the quantity in which some of 
them appear is inconsiderable, and, to a superficial observer, such an element may not 
appear to be essential; but this opinion is inadmissible, and we are obliged to accede to the 
view which maintains that a minute proportion of one element is as essential to the com¬ 
position of a grain in its perfect state, as the more ample abundance of another. 
In making our analyses, the amount of potash and soda should have been determined 
more frequently, had time permitted. It is true, many of the analyses might have been 
omitted, and the process in the remaining instances carried to its ultimatum. In expla¬ 
nation of our course of proceeding, it seemed quite desirable to increase the number even 
of partial analyses. We had very clearly six districts, the character of whose soils were 
to be determined ; and this required many analyses, carried at least so far as to determine 
the amount of lime and magnesia, two great elements in the constitution of soils. Another 
reason for the omission in regard to soda and potash, is that we were not fully convinced 
of the utility of the analyses we were engaged in. A variety of opinions prevailed, and do 
still prevail, in regard to this part of the work ; and hence in consequence of the doubt 
which brooded over us, we did not commence in earnest at a period sufficiently early to 
enable us to execute what we now wish ; and even now we shall not be disappointed if a 
contrariety of opinion exists as to the usefulness of our work. Some valuable facts have 
been elicited by the questionings we have put to the soils of the several districts ; and we 
believe we have prepared the way for more, or for an advance in this mode of procedure. 
We lay more stress, however, upon the matter, when applied to the soils of this State, 
than when applied to those of New-England. The soils of this State are far more uniform 
in their composition ; and hence a single analysis is worth more, for the purpose of de¬ 
termining what the soil is for a wide extent of territory, than elsewhere. This is quite 
[Agricultural Report.] 42 
