No. 85.] 65 



become more common, as the time increases during which our soils 

 have been under tillage. Sprengel, among the soils analyzed by him, 

 gives instances of some wholly barren, but which contained in the 

 surface soil from 27 to 38 per cent of vegetable matter. Analysis 

 showed that while these lands contained from 70 to 95 per cent of silica, 

 there was but 1 or 2 per cent of alumina, and a mere trace of lime, 

 and thus the cause was shown at once why they were unproductive. 

 On the contrary, the subsoil in these cases was rich in the earths and 

 salts most wanted, and had it been raised and mixed with the surface 

 soil, abounding as that did in humus or decayed organic matter, a soil 

 of the most fertile description would have been the result. There is 

 scarcely an instance of barrenness in soils, in which an analysis, such 

 as may be made by any one, will not point out the evil, and thus lead 

 to the best means of remedying it. 



For the purpose of determining the proportions of the principal 

 earths and organic matter there is in a soil, we have found the fol- 

 lowing course, which is the same in substance as that recommended 

 by Prof. Johnston in his essays, for a rough analysis, to be sufficient- 

 ly accurate, and more easily performed than any other. Nothing is 

 required for its performance, but a set of common druggist's scales 

 with grain weights ; a capsule of platina for burning the earth, (or a 

 piece of sheet-iron, or even an iron spoon will do, where the platina 

 is not at hand,) and a small quantity of muriatic acid, with a com- 

 mon tumbler or two. Select the soil to be experimented upon, in 

 such a manner that it may be a fair sample of that of which you wish 

 to ascertain the constituents. By drying it in the air, making it fine, 

 and passing some of it through a not very fine sieve, a quantity for 

 examining is obtained. 



Take of the soil so provided 100 grains. Spread it in a thin lay- 

 er on white paper and place it in an oven, the heat of which should 

 be raised till the paper begins to be slightly discolored. An hour or 

 two should be employed in this process. Take from the paper and 

 weigh ; the loss will be the water driven off. 



Take 100 grains dried as above, and place them on a platina cap- 

 sule, or some untinned clean iron, and heat the earth to dull redness 

 over a spirit lamp or charcoal fire. Take from the iron, when cool, 

 and weigh. This will show the amount of organic matter burned 

 out, or the per cent in the soil. 



Take 100 grains of the dried soil, and mix it thoroughly with half 



[Senate, No. 85.] E 



