156 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 



No. 11.— SOIL FROM KING'S COUNTY. 



This soil partakes of the same colour as the light red Triassic sandstone from which 

 it is derived, and in this respect is representative of the characteristic soil of this fertile 

 province. It differs from the preceding specimens in that it is not a truly virgin soil. 

 Some difficulty was experienced in procuring a sample from soil which had not been 

 cropped or manured ; this one is said to fairly represent the unmanured but cultivated 

 soil that extends over a large area in the eastern portion of the island. It was obtained 

 from Lot or Township 53. 



This soil is a light, sandy loam, of good tilth. By the use of a sieve (mesh 1*5 mm.) 

 the following separation was effected : — 



Coarse material, chiefly fragments of red sandstone. . . 8 - 3 per cent. 

 Fine material, chiefly fine red sand 91 '7 " 



From this sample it is of course impossible to speak of the composition of the virgin 

 soil ; but such is, however, now exceedingly limited in area. The present report will 

 be of service to those farmers who have not in the past kept up the fertility of their 

 land and who are now anxious to restore to the soil economically that plant food used 

 up by the successive cropping of years. 



Judged from its chemical composition, it must be considered as somewhat inferior 

 to those of average fertility. Of the three essential elements, it is highest in potash, 

 containing a very fair amount. In phosphoric acid, it is very low, while the percent- 

 age of nitrogen is also less than the average found in fertile soils. The amount of lime 

 present is extremely small, and considerably less than that in any of the other samples 

 examined. 



It is evident, therefore, that besides an organic manure to supply humus and a 

 calcareous one to furnish lime, it is necessary to add nitrogen and phosphoric acid, if 

 the best results are to be expected. 



Nitrogen and humus are most conveniently (and also most economically) supplied 

 together, as in some organic manures, e. g. barn-yard manure, composted muck, sea- 

 weed, fish offal, etc., or a growing crop of one of the legumes (clover or pease) ploughed 

 under. In this way not only the fertility of the soil, but its capacity for retaining 

 plant food and moisture will be greatly increased. 



Phosphoric acid may be added in the form of superphosphate or ground bone. If 

 wood ashes are cheaply and easily procured, their application would supply both potash 

 and phosphoric acid. » 



As already stated, the soil contains a very small percentage of lime. A dressing 

 of lime, marl or gypsum would therefore undoubtedly prove remunerative. If lime is 

 used, other fertilizers (as indicated above) must also be supplied, or in a few years the 

 increased yield resulting from the setting free of soil plant food by the lime, will be 

 followed by a disastrous exhaustion of the elements of fertility. Mai'l does not affect a 

 soil in as marked a manner as lime, nor does it cause exhaustion to the same degree. 

 Unlike lime it cannot do harm if applied in excess. If it is desired to manure by turn- 

 ing under a green crop, a coating of gypsum and kainit or of wood ashes will materially 

 increase the yield of clover. 



It is hoped to supplement this analysis by that of soils procured in different parts 

 of the island. 



