p.8

[5] 8

The silica of grasses has been not
inaptly compared to the bones of animals, giving
them strength to hold up the rich burden
of grain;

But silica which is no other than
sand or flint is of itself insoluble in
water and cannot therefore be taken
up by the roots of plants until it is
softened or prepared by the action of
a strong alkali—as potash or
soda—

Felspar [Feldspar] by its disintegration + decomposition
[illegible] directly silicate of potash—this supplying
silica in an available condition and also potash.—

Grass + grain crops should be alternated by
green crops which require little if any silicate
of potash, and thus allow the substance so [illegible]
to the granite to accumulate in the soil by the
gradual decomposition of the felspar [feldspar] +s +s

Experiment has shown that grasses grown in soil without silica
were weak, pale, and grew to but a small height. [It] The
[culm?] were incapable of sustaining themselves in their naturally
upright position.

[5] 8

The silica of grasses has been not
inaptly compared to the bones of animals, giving
them strength to hold up the rich burden
of grain;

But silica which is no other than
sand or flint is of itself insoluble in
water and cannot therefore be taken
up by the roots of plants until it is
softened or prepared by the action of
a strong alkali—as potash or
soda—

Felspar [Feldspar] by its disintengration + decomposition
[illegible] directly silicate of potash—this supplying
silica in an available condition and also potash.—

Grass + grain crops should be alternated by
green crops which require little if any silicate
of potash, and thus allow the substance so [illegible]
to the granite to accumulate in the soil by the
gradual deconposition of the felspar [feldspar] +s +s

Experiement has shown that grasses grown in soil without silica
were weak, pale, and grew to but a small height. [It] The
[culm?] were incalpable of sustaining themselves in their naturally
upright position.