In article , Mike Lyle mike_lyle_uk@REMO
VETHISyahoo.co.uk writes
Kay wrote:
In article .com,

Please can someone with botanical and chemical knowledge explain
this
thing about leaves being acid? I know that peat bogs are acid, but
could someone please explain the process by which pine needles.
holly
etc render the soil acid?

It's yer nitrogen balance, innit, missis? Yer plant, nah, that's like
all nitrogen and yer long-chain molecules an 'at. Yer calcium
compahns, onneuvverand, what is what achieves yer Swiss-style
neutrality, are fahnd in trivial quantities in yer average vegetable
material; an what there is, is leached aht by yer rainfall. Take it
from me, lady: you leave that stuff lyin abaht, you'll ave a bloomin
peat-bog before you can say "Paddy Murphy".

Are you saying that any compound containing nitrogen is acidic?
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"