8 



CHARACTER OF SOIL, AND ITS BEARING ON POSSIBLE 



METHODS OF AMELIORATION. 



The soils of these marshes are of a very peculiar nature, and it was 

 with the object of learning something definite about their physical and 

 chemical characteristics, that the present investigation was undertaken; 

 the ultimate object being, of course, to obtain data as to the best methods 

 of improving them and of increasing their crop-producing power. The 

 soil consists of two principal strata. The upper layer is a grayish black 

 to black mass, formed of the debris of decaying vegetable matter. In 

 some places the forms of decayed roots and other plant parts may be 

 seen with the naked eye; in others a more complete decomposition has 

 taken place and the soil presents the appearance of a fine humous mass. 

 It is very porous and when partly dry feels quite elastic when stepped 

 upon . Its depth in most places is at least several feet; only in a few 

 locations is it as little as four inches. The amount of moisture in the 

 soils in their natural state is exceedingly high, as is to be expected under 

 the circumstances. The average moisture of 23 samples was found to 

 be 83%, with a minimum of 77% and a maximum of 91%. The vegetable 

 origin of the soil is evident from its appearance and from its chemical 

 composition. The agricultural analyses of six samples, by the methods 

 of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, gave the following 

 figures : 



