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A brief description of each sample is here appended : 



No. 6. A muck rich in organic matter and nitrogen, with little inert matter, 

 clay and sand. As this was intended for use as a litter, the value of the resulting 

 manure would be materially increased, owing to the additional nitrogen supplied by 

 the muck. 



No. 7. Very similar in appearance to the preceding sample, but contains only 

 three-quarters the amount of nitrogen. Nevertheless, it is above the average in this 

 important element. 



Nos. 8 and 9. These specimens of swamp muck were taken from the surface (No. 

 8) and from 2 feet below (No. 9). They differ much in appearance. No. 8 shows 

 a considerable amount of undecomposed woody tissue and is less granular than No. 

 9. Their analysis proves them to be very similar in composition. 



No. 10. A powdery, loamy muck of brown colour, containing nearly 30 percent 

 of sand. It possesses about the average quantity of nitrogen found in fair samples. 



Nos. 11 and 12. These are similar in the percentages of organic matter and in- 

 soluble residue they contain. The organic matter of No. 11 is not as rich in nitrogea 

 and not as well decomposed as that of No. 12. 



Nos. 13 and 14. These are from extensive deposits lying near each other. No. 

 13 is much darker and somewhat less woody and more granular than No. 14. Its 

 value is considerably the higher of the two. 



No. 15. As this was analysed when it contained nearly 40 per cent of water, 

 it appeared to possess less nitrogen tlian many others which are really of less value. 

 Calculated on the basis of 10 per cent of water, this sample would yield 35 lbs. 

 of nitrogen to the ton. It may be considered a very fair average sample of black 

 muck. 



No. 16. Light brown in colour. Considering its small percentage of water, it 

 must be regarded as low in nitrogen. 



No. 17. Apparently well decomposed, black, and of good texture. If dried to 

 10 per cent of water it would contain 47 lbs. of nitrogen to the ton, which is consider- 

 ably above the average. 



No. 18. From a very large deposit. This muck contains the largest amount of 

 nitrogen received during the past year. Evidently a very valuable nitrogenous 

 fertilizer. 



No. 19, A reddish brown sample. Although containing 85 per cent of organic 

 matter, it yields only 20 lbs. of nitrogen to the ton. 



No 20. Although very fibrous, it possesses an average amouut of nitrogen. It 

 would do good service as an absorbent in stables. 



No. 21. Taken from 4 feet below the surface, fairly dark and granular, but not- 

 withstanding is very poor in nitrogen. 



No. 22. A dark brown muck, considerably below the average in nitrogen. 



No. 23. Sent as a sample of "mud," but evidently more of the nature of a 

 swamp muck. Of a dark gray colour and somewhat sandy. A fair sample, slightly 

 below the average quality. 



No. 24. "Mussel mud." Consisted principally of the unbroken and undecom- 

 posed shells of mussels embedded in clay. It cannot be considered a nitrogenous 

 fertilizer, but is of value to soils deficient in lime. The use and value of these 

 mussel muds have been treated of at some length in former reports. 



No. 25. "Lake mud." Not a rich fertilizer compared with swamp muck. In- 

 soluble matter is over 50 per cent, and organic matter less than 25 per cent. 



No. 26. " Salt mud." Exceedingly poor in nitrogen, consisting largely of 

 insoluble residue. Is a reddish, compact, very earthy substance. 



No. 27. A peat. A valuable material for bedding, owing to its texture and rich- 

 ness in nitrogen. 



A considerable vai-iation in the composition, and hence in the value of these 

 specimens, is to be noticed. The twenty-four samples of black muck give an average 

 of 33 lb. of nitrogen to the ton. Nitrogen is the most costly of the three important 

 fertilizing elements generally Ibund necessary to return to the soil. Its value may 



