REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST 161 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



This was taken from the surface of a large area which it was intended to put 

 under cultivation. 



This muck is almost entirely vegetable matter, the constituents, clay and sand, 

 which give stability, firmness and supply mineral plant food are practically absent. 



In the reclamation of such an area, drainage is the first essential. At the outset 

 open ditches should be dug to remove surface water. After the soil has settled some- 

 what, it would be well to put in tile drainage. If feasible and not too expensive, the 

 addition of sand or clay, or, better, both, to be worked into the surface soil, is to be 

 advocated. Unfortunately it is but seldom that this part of the work of reclamation 

 can be followed out, the haulage distance being too great. 



A dressing of lime or, still better, wood ashes, merely harrowed in, will be very 

 beneficial in supplying mineral plant food generally lacking in such soils. If wood 

 ashes are not obtainable, I would suggest basic slag 500 lbs., muriate of potash 150 

 lbs., per acre, broadcasted and harrowed in. 



Although the soil is very rich in nitrogen very little of this element is present 

 naturally in an available condition, hence, it has been found that applications of barn- 

 yard manure are most useful. After a year or two they can be discontinued, as by 

 that time the manure will have inoculated the soil with the bacteria necessary for the 

 continued conversion of the soil plant food into available forms. 



Much from Grand Manan, N.B. — This sample, as in the previous instance, was 

 forwarded with a view to obtaining information as to its reclamation. Mr. L. E. 

 Foster writes: ' What fertilizer would be best on this soil for potatoes? ' The air-dried 

 muck was submitted to analysis and the following results obtained: — 



Analysis. Per cent. 



Moisture 8-03 



Organic and volatile matter 86-17 



Mineral matter, including sand . 5-80 



100 00 



Nitrogen 1-50 



This is essentially vegetable matter and would not be considered as a good potato 

 soil, though such land has, with proper treatment, frequently been made to give very 

 fair yields. 



All that has been just said regarding the necessity of drainage and the value of an 

 initial supply of manure applies in this case, and in addition the following fertilizer 

 might be suggested: — 



Basic slag. 300 to 500 lbs. per acre. 



Sulphate of potash 100 " 



Broadcast on the prepared land before planting and harrow in. 



Mud from Mahone Bay, N.S. — This material, forwarded by Dr. Charles A. Ham- 

 ilton, represented the ' mud ' as brought up in the dredging of Mahone bay. The 

 object of the inquiry was to ascertain what fertilizing value it might possess, as large 

 quantities were available to farmers in the vicinity. The mud, dried by simple expo- 

 sure to the air, was found to have the following composition : — 



Analysis. Per cent. 



Moisture 9-56 



Organic and volatile matter 26-85 



Mineral matter, including clay and sand 63-59 



10000 



16—11 



