155 



lent to 13-39 per cent of carbonate of lime, leaving the sulphuric acid and magnesia 

 to form 3 per cent sulphate of magnesium or epsom salts. 



It is gratifying to note that chemical analysis bears out very emphatically the 

 impression that the soils of Manitoba and the North- West Territories generally are 

 most fertile, and possess in abundance all those elements necessary to large crop 

 yields. 



No. 8. This sample and the four following were sent by Mr. Gr. S. Wilgress, B.A., 

 barrister of Huntsville, Muskoka, a gentleman who is interesting himself in the 

 agricultnial welfare of that district. This soil is from the farm of Mr. Andrew 

 Hart, lots 5 and 6, concession 6, township Sinclair. It is a loose, sandy loam and 

 has never been cropped. The subsoil of hiard pan is found at a depth of from 6 to 

 12 inches. The land was cleared about ten years ago. This is a very dry soil, con- 

 taining little lime, and less than the average in potash. Phosphoric acid is present 

 in fair quantities. It is only moderately rich in organic matter and nitrogen. 



A heavy application of wood ashes, to supply potash, lime and phosphoric acid, 

 would greatly benefit this soil. In the absence of barn yard manure, the turning in 

 of some green crop — preferably clover, or if this will not grow, rye — would improve 

 the absorptive and retentive qualities of this soil, and at the time supply available 

 nitrogeo. 



Nos. 9 and 10. From lot 17, concession 4, township of Chaffey, the farm of 

 Mr. James Down. Sandy loam, about 15 inches in depth, underlaid by hard pan. 

 No. 10 is taken 12 inches below the surface. Soil was originally timbered with 

 pine and other soft woods, together with maple and birch. It was burnt over five 

 years a.sj;o. after which hazel, cherry and other small trees grew. The ground was 

 cleared in 1890, and has never been manured. These soils were taken during a sea- 

 son of drought, and to this fact the low percentage of water may be largely 

 attributed. While in no sense a calcareous soil it cannot be considered deficient in 

 lime. The subsoil contains very much less than the surface soil. The potash, alike 

 in quantities in both soils, is low. In phosphoric acid also they are below the 

 average. The organic matter and nitrogen in No. 9 are lower than in the preceding 

 sample. In the subsoil they are present to about one half the amount of those 

 in the surface soil. 



Nos, 11 and 12, From lot 23, concession 14, township of Franklin, the farm of 

 Eev. E. N. Hill. Ground, originally timbered with mixed hardwoods and hemlock, 

 has never been ploughed, but scuffled between the stumps. One crop of wheat, one 

 of oats and two of hay have been taken off, but no manure applied. 



The surface soil is a light-grey loam, somewhat clayey in texture. It is excep- 

 tionally high in potash* and fair in phosphoric acid, but very low in nitrogen. The 

 sub-soil is very much poorer in the elements, nitrogen practically being absent. In 

 both soils the lime is comparatively high for Muskoka soils. 



The analytical work in this series is not yet quite completed, but from the data 

 BO far obtained the general character of the Muskoka soil appears to be light and 

 Bandy, 



The addition of muck would greatly improve their tilth and at the same time 

 add much nitrogenous plant food. As suggested when, remarking upon No. 8, wood 

 ashes plentifully supplied and the turning in of some green crop would materially 

 enhance their fertility, 



Nofi. 13, 14 and 15 are from lot 11, concession 2, township of Eussell, county 

 Eussell, the farm of Norman E, Otto, 



No, 13, a virgin soil (uncultivated and unmanured) is a grey sandy loam with 

 a fair proportion of nitrogen and phosphoric acid. The potash is low. 



No. 14. Is a light yellowish sandy subsoil, containing little more than traces 

 of organic matter and nitrogen. 



* The exceptional amount of potash ( '58 per cent) in this specimen may possibly be due to the acciden- 

 tal presence of ashes produced in clearing the land. 



