140 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE BULLETINS. 



and so soon as the bees can protect the brood, the weaker may be strengthened 

 by receiving cupped brood from tlie stronger, but never so rapidly as to 

 endanger the brood from cliilling. Such has been our ijractice here at the col- 

 lege, and we have not been troubled by loss from " spring dwindling.'* I feel 

 very sanguine that if the above suggestions are heeded, winter losses will cease 

 to vex our northern bee keepers. 



A. J COOK 

 Agricultural College, ) 

 Nov. 1, 1885. )" 



No. 9. -FROM CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT. 



MARL. 



In many j^arts of the State farmers find, especially at the bottom of muck 

 beds and shallow ponds, a layer of varying thickness of a white or yellowish- 

 white material, differing so much from the ordinary soils in the vicin ty tliat 

 they are curious to know what this mineral is, and what it is good for. I have 

 received so many specimens of this nuiterial for analysis, and so many letters of 

 inquiry as to its value, and how to use it, tliat I have concluded to answer these 

 questions once for all in the form of a bulletin. 



The material is marl: and consists of carbonate of lime, carbonate of mao'- 

 nesia, sometimes a small amount of phosphate of lime, some oxide of iron, and 

 a variable amount of clay and sand. I give the results of analysis of specimens 

 from different parts of the State, which will afford a general idea of the com- 

 position of marls in this State: 



MARL FROM RERRIEN COUNTY. 



Carbonate of lime 79.(30 



Carbonate of magnesia 4. 54 



Oxide of iron 1.43 



Clay and sand (insoluble in acids) 13.00 



Organic matter and loss 1.43 



Total 1 00.00 



MARL FROM ST. .JOSEPH COUXTY. 



Carbonate of lime 56. 16 



Carbonate of magnesia 6. 00 



Oxide of iron 1. 05 



Sand and clay (insoluble in acids) 36. 79 



Total... 100.00 



MARL FROM LENAWEE COUNTY. 



Carbonate of lime 00. 00 



Carbonate of magnesia 3. 00 



Sand and clay (insoluble in acids) 5. 50 



Organic matter 2 50 



Total 100.00 



