REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 149 



VIRGIN SOILS OF CANADA. 



The examination of typical soils representing large areas of territory, has been con- 

 tinued. From the chemical and physical data so obtained, it is possible to give infor- 

 mation respecting the treatment and manuring most likely to be productive of good 

 results in the districts from which the soil were sent. In addition to this immediately 

 useful outcome of the work, it may be pointed out that we are gradually amassing figures 

 that will lead to a better knowledge of the soils of Canada in general — a knowledge not 

 only valuable to our own farmers, but also to those who have thoughts of emigrating 

 from European countries. 



In former reports I have dwelt at some length upon the factors which conduce to a 

 soil's fertility. It will therefore be unnecessary for me to recapitulate here, more espe- 

 cially as the soils whose composition is given in the following table, are considered in 

 detail. 



The soils examined during 1894 comprise specimens from British Columbia, Mani- 

 toba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The results show 

 that Canada possesses soils which compare most favourably in richness of plant food 

 with the best and most fertile of other countries. Concerning much of the prairie soil in 

 Manitoba and the North-west Territories, as well as regards those alluvial soils that have 

 been formed as river deltas or tidal deposits, both on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, it 

 has been ascertained that they are exceedingly rich, possessing vast stores of plant food, 

 a large portion of which is assimilable and ready to be used by crops. Many soils from 

 other parts of the Dominion have also shown themselves to be excellent. 



The analytical results are given in tabular form, and the deductions therefrom will 

 be found, together with a brief description of each soil examined, under the various 

 provinces from which the specimens were obtained. 



BRITISH COLUMBIA. 



Nos. 1 and 2. SOILS FROM PITT MEADOWS. 

 Physical Characters. 



Surface Soil. — A black loam in a moderately fine granular condition. When air- 

 dried it is a grayish black and crumbles easily to powder ; this on moistening does not 

 become plastic or sticky, nor on subsequent drying does it cake. 



The tilth (mechanical texture) appears to be very good, allowing freedom for root 

 development and permeation of air and water. At the same time, it is sufficiently com- 

 pact and heavy to prevent easy leaching ; it is undoubtedly retentive of both moisture 

 and fertilizing ingredients to a high degree. 



The soil granules display a remarkable homogeneity, proving the very intimate 

 incorporation of the organic matter with the inorganic basis of the soil. The sand, 

 upon separation, appears to be very fine. 



Subsoil. — A grayish yellow soil, powdering easily when air-dried. It contains a 

 considerable amount of fine sand and does not become plastic on moistening. I should 

 expect it to offer a very fair drainage to the surface soil. 



Chemical Composition. 



Surface Soil. — This is a clay loam possessing a large amount of vegetable organic 

 matter. The latter constituent is always present in arable soils ; but a high percentage, 

 as in the present instance, always characterizes soils of great fertility. Briefly, the 

 chief functions of organic matter may be stated as follows : By its decomposition in the 



