A THEORY UNDER REVISION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 148, 23 June 1906, Page 14

A THEORY UNDER REVISION.

No sooner, apparently, do scientific men "know all about" any subject — no sooner is the theory complete, consistent, symmetrical, and generally accepted — than some discovery is made that necessitates its complete revision. The pretty and | satisfactory theory about the nitrogenisation of the soil by the nodules in the roots of leguminous plants is now seriously questioned. Professor Jamieson, in a paper read beforejbhe Aberdeen Agricultural Research Association, the result of minute and systematic investigations, is being driven back to certain discarded theories of Liebig. He claims to have proved that all plants have power of assimilating nitrogen, although some, such as the cereals and grasses, in a less degree than others. This process, according to the report, is a natural one, carried on by means of structures on leaves or leaf stalks in their yoiingest state, and existing, in one form or another, apparently, on all plante. A further outcome of Profesor Jamieson'e investigations is to demonstrate that the nodule i or tubercle theory, of which so much, has been lately written, is without foundation. The result of Professor Jamieson's researches appears to the committee '-to form a legitimate ground for congratulation, "as it seems to settle not only one of the most important questions in agricultural science, but it is calculated to bring about an immense saving in agricultural practice. Cereals and grasses are not so fully provided with nitrogen absorbers as some other plants, and the farmer may modify Ms practice in 6uch a way that plants with much capacity for absorbing nitrogen may be grown, and when incorporated with the soil, will provide so much nitrogen that artificial supplies may to a large extent becomo unnecessary. How this cai be done is illustrated by practical examples. It is not to be expected that such propositions will be generally accepted without further independent examination; but it is due to Professor Jamieson to say that he gives full details and data for the faith which is in him, and he has evidently satisfied the committee that the conclusions arrived at by him rest on a scientifio foundation."