107 



Potash — derived principally from the decomposition of feldspathic rocks, e.g., 

 granite — exists chiefly in combination with silica in a more or less soluble condition. 

 The limits of potash in a soil lie between a mere trace and about 2 per cent. A 

 good agricultural soil contains between .25 per cent, and 1 per cent. Clay soils, 

 usually, are the richest in potash. 



Potash, as a fertilizer, is of special value to clover, peas and other leguminous 

 crops ; potatoes, beets, cabbage, grasses and leafy plants in general are also benefited 

 by it. 



Phosphoric acid, combined principally with lime, is found in all fertile soils. 

 Like potash, t,it has been derived from the rock that originated the soil, and conse- 

 quently is not constant in quantity. It seldom exceeds 1 per cent., even in the 

 richest soils, and the average in good soils would probably be somewhat under '5 per 

 cent. 



It benefits chiefly root crops, e. g., turnips and beets, and in conjunction with 

 nitrogenous manures is very effective for the cereals, promoting an early maturity 

 and an increased yield. 



Lime. — Of the inorganic elements of minor importance, lime is the principal. By its 

 solution it affords food directly to the plant and liberates in the soil potash and 

 nitrogen pre-existaut in insoluble forms. Many consider that less than 1 per cent, 

 shows a soil to be deficient in lime. 



Xo special mention need here be made of the other mineral constituents, as most 

 soils contain sufficient for all the requirements of farm crops. 



ORGANIC CONSTITUENT. 



^ Nitrogen is the element of value in the organic portion of a soil. It there exists, 

 for the most part, in forms from which it can be but slowly absorbed b}' plants. By 

 a process of fermentation, known as nitrification, it is rendered assimilable. The 

 presence of lime (carbonate of lime) appears to assist in this useful operation, espe- 

 cially when the ground is sufficiently open for air to permeate it. Moisture and 

 warmth are also necessary to encourage the growth of this microscopic ferment. 



Very rich soils contain from -5 per cent, to 1 per cent, of nitrogen ; good, fertile 

 soils possess on an average from -1 per cent, to "2 per cent. 



Nitrogen is essentially the fertilizer for cereals, especially when associated with 

 potash. An excess of nitrogen, however, promotes a rank growth of straw 



Successive croppings, without a concomitant return of plant food, deplete a soil 

 of these three important substances, and though, as we have seen, a fertile soil requires 

 but minute quantities of them, they must be replaced in order to obtain lucrative 

 harvests. 



The examination of eight samples of soil has been undertaken since the issue of 

 my last report. Six of these rejDresent areas in the|North-West Territories, and were 

 analysed at the instance of L. A, Hamilton, Esq., Land Commissioner, C. P. E., Winni- 

 peg; the remaining two soils, from the Sackville Marsh, New Brunswick, were for- 

 warded by Josiah Wood, Esq., M.P. 



