160 



The following brief explanatory notes with regard to the above are added : 



No. 1. Marsh mud, forwarded by the Pioneer Publishing Co., Summerside, 

 P. E. 1. This is not a rich fertilizer, but represents an average sample of marsh or 

 river mud. In potash and phosphoric acid it is somewhat low. The percentage 

 of nitrogen is a little higher than that usually found in marsh lands. 



No. 2. Is a black muck from the east riding of Peterborough, Asphodel town- 

 ship, and sent by Mr. F. Birdsall. The 30 per cent of insoluble matter is chiefly sand, 

 which gives to the whole a line loamy texture. The air-dried sabstance contains 

 over 1 percent nitrogen, or 22| lbs. to the ton, making a valuable nitrogenous fertilizer. 

 It also contains over 4 per cent of carbonate of lime, a very useful material for many 

 soils. Mr. Birdsall reports very good results from its use, and thinks it equal to 

 barnyard manure sometimes found. 



No. 3. A black muck from a cedar swamp, South Orillia. Depth of deposit, 3 feet 

 to 6 feet, with a subsoil of quicksand. The swamp, partially burnt over, contains 

 about 15() acres. The sample analysed is from the deposit on the farm of Mr. E. 

 Lehmann, South Orillia. This may be considered a first-class muck. It poss- 

 esses nearly 2 per cent of nitrogen (40 lbs. to the ton) and 9 per cent of carbonate 

 of lime. The small quantity of inert, insoluble matter, is noticeable. In potash 

 and phosphoric acid, it is a good average sample. 



No. 4. Forwarded by Mr. Bayard Williams, of Long Eeach, King's county, N.B. ; 

 obtained from the bottom of a lake. It partakes very much of the nature of a 

 swamp muck, possessing over 40 lbs. of nitrogen to the ton. It should prove, both 

 from its composition and texture, a valuable nitrogenous manure. 



No. 5. A river mud from Lower Montague, P.E.I., sent by Mr. H. P. Robertson. 

 The analysis shows it to be rather of the nature of a good soil than a manure. 



It was found that time would not permit to make a complete analj'sis of all the 

 samples that were sent in for examination. It was therefore determined to estimate 

 only their most important constituents. Their relative values as suppliers of nitrogen 

 is brought out in the subjoined table, which also affords further information regarding 

 their constitution. 



