REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 155 



Lime. — From the analysis, this soil shows a deficiency in lime, one per cent being 

 considered a minimum limit for the best returns. Lime may be supplied either as such, 

 or in the form of marl or gypsum, and would be useful, not only as supplying an ele- 

 ment of plant food, but also in promoting nitrification of the organic matter. 



Potash. — It is exceptionally rich in this constituent, and consequently should prove 

 a good soil for the legumes (clover, pease, &c,), roots and leafy crops generally. No 

 doubt, this potash has been liberated in part by the burning to which the soil was sub- 

 jected. 



Phosphoric acid. — The average amount in good, fertile soils is about -2 per cent, 

 so that, as may be seen from the table, this soil, as regards this necessary and valuable 

 plant food, is of average quality. 



The comparatively large percentage of iron is worthy of remark, as denoting a 

 capacity for the retention of phosphoric acid and potash. 



Organic manures, in one or other of the forms already mentioned (such as barn-yard 

 manure, composted muck, offal or other animal refuse, or a green crop turned under), in 

 conjunction with an application of lime, are to be recommended as beneficial and 

 economical. For the special fertilization of a cereal crop, soluble forms of phosphoric 

 acid and nitrogen, such as superphosphate a»d nitrate of soda, might be used. 



NEW BRUNSWICK. 



No. 10.— VIRGIN SOIL FROM BALMORAL SETTLEMENT, RESTIGOUCHE. 



This, as received, was a pale yellow soil containing a considerable number of lumps 

 or fragments of rock of the same colour, and of various sizes up to one and a half 

 inches in diameter. On close inspection, it was found that these irregular rock frag- 

 ments consisted chiefly of felspar, partially decomposed, though showing some quartz. 

 The soil is evidently derived from the disintegration and decay of this rock material. 

 The soil was separated by a 2 mm. sieve, with the following results : 



Fine soil 84'8 per cent. 



Rock fragments 15-2 " 



Except in potash, this soil must be regarded as poor in the more important ele- 

 ments of fertility. The percentage of potash is considerably above that found in aver- 

 age fertile soils ; the abundance of this useful and valuable constituent is undoubtedly 

 due to the felspar from which the soil has originated. 



The percentage of phosphoric acid is low. Bone meal, superphosphate or fish 

 waste are perhaps the most available sources from which to supply this necessary ele- 

 ment for plant growth. 



To supply nitrogen and humus (in both of which important materials this soil is 

 lacking), barnyard manure would, of course, prove very valuable. Air-dried muck, sub- 

 sequently composted with manure, or, if sufficient manure cannot be obtained, with 

 wood ashes and lime, is also to be highly recommended. A third method, and one that 

 can be strongly advised, is the ploughing under of some green crop, preferably clover or 

 pease, while in flower. A dressing of ground unburnt gypsum is often useful in giving 

 such crops a good start. Fish waste and sea weed would also prove valuable manures 

 for this soil. 



Most agricultural chemists regard a soil to be deficient in lime when it contains 

 less than one per cent. This soil would therefore be benefited by a dressing of lime, 

 either as such or as marl (carbonate of lime) or as gypsum (sulphate of lime). 



To sum up briefly, organic manures (such as I have mentioned in speaking of nitro- 

 gen and humus) and lime are necessary, and the addition of phosphatic fertilizers high- 

 ly desirable, to render the soil more fertile. The course here suggested will, I think, 

 prove more economical and lasting in its effects than one which includes the use of the 

 more soluble and expensive nitrogenous fertilizers, e.g., nitrate of soda and sulphate of 

 ammonia. 



