468 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The roots on the spot where the clover was very bad, yielded only 

 31 pounds of nitrogen per acre, or scarcely one-third of the quantity 

 which was obtained from the roots where the clover was good. 



The soil from the second square yard on analysis was found, 

 when freed from stones by sifting, to contain in 100 parts : 

 Composition of Soil, No. II, {Bad Glover.) 



Water 17.24 



^Organic tnattor 9-64 



Oxides of iron and alumina 11.89 



Carbonate of lime 14.50 



Magnesia, alkalies, &c 1-53 



Insoluble siliceous matter , 45. 20 



100.00 



2nd determination. 



*Containing nitrogen .306 380 



Equal to ammonia 3f 470 



Both portions of the clover soil thus contained about the same 

 percentage of organic matter, and yielded nearly the same amount 

 of nitrogen. 



In addition, however, to the nitrogen in the clover roots, a good 

 deal of nitrogen, in the shape of root-fibres, decayed leaves, and 

 similar organic matters, was disseminated throughout the fine soil 

 in which it occurred, and from which it could not be separated ; 

 but unfortunately I neglected to weigh the soil from a square yard, 

 and am therefore unable to state how much nitrogen per acre was 

 present in the shape of small root-fibres and other organic matters. 

 Approximately, the quantity might be obtained by calculation; 

 but as the actual weight of cultivated soils varies greatly, I abstain 

 from making such a calculation, even though it might be done with 

 propriety, as I took care in the following season to weigh the soil 

 different parts of the same field. 



Before mentioning the details of the experiments made in the 

 next season, I will here give the composition of the ash of the 

 partially cleaned clover roots: 



Composition of Ash of Clover-roots (partialbj cleaned.) 



Oxide of iron and alumina 11.73 



Lime 18.49 



Magnesia • 3.03 



' Potash 6.88 



Soda 1-93 



Phosphoric acid 3.G1 



Sulphuric acid 2.24 



Soluble silica 19.01 



Insoluble siliceous matter 24.83 



Carbonic acid, chlorine, anJ loss 8.25 



100.00 



