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into animal torce. Hence the animal moves, grows and works, and 
all this the result of the union of-the oxygen of the air with the 
carbon of the food. And now what about this carbonaceous matter 
which nature deposits in the soil, as a part of the soil? Suppose 
we allow the‘atmosphere free access to it, what will he the result? 
It will oxidize; Ave cannot prevent it. That is, the atoms of oxy¬ 
gen and carbon severed in the growing plant, Avill combine, carbonic 
acid is formed, heat must be produced. This union of air and car¬ 
bon is plant-food. Is the heat produced by this union converted 
into plant force? For eveiy atom of carbon used in the formation 
of carbonic acid, Avhether in the boiler, the animal or the soil, we 
must have two atoms of oxygen from the atmosphere. 
This will give us some idea, faint though it he, of how and to 
what extent nature uses organized matter—manure, if you please— 
and atmospheric air in her “methods” of forming and transforming 
soil. But in this brief paper, already too long, however, for the 
present occasion, Ave have taken but one step, as it Avere, in the study 
of these methods. Are these studies of any practical value? Do 
they suggest processes of culture that will improve our present 
systems? These are questions that I must leave for this meeting 
to consider; o^for another paper at some future day. 
Secretary Field. A single word upon some ideas brought forth 
in this practical paper of the Professor’s. I always listen with a 
great deal of interest to the Professor’s productions for I consider 
him a very practical kind of a man. I consider his papers of prac¬ 
tical importance, and this is one which we can all comprehend. It 
contains a great deal of common sense; I have always thought the 
nearer Ave follow nature in our farming operations, the nearer we 
Avill come to bringing agriculture to that perfection which we are 
all aiming at. There are thoughts in that paper worthy the con¬ 
sideration of every one of us, and if we can apply them to the daily 
work on the farm we shall find them of great benefit. 
Mr. Whiting. I have listened to the reading of that paper with 
a very intense degree of interest. It seems to be very fittingly 
adapted to folloAv some of those that have preceded it. It seems to 
throw light on the subject of deep and thorough tilth about which 
Ave heard yesterday. On the tilling of the ground I have received 
some neAv light from this essay. Here we see the origin of the forces 
