REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 163 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Analysis. 



Per cent. 



Insoluble rock matter 37-30 



Carbonate of lime 45-37 



Oxide of iron, &c., by difference 17-33 



100-00 



In appearance tbis substance was a light yellow, brick-like, brittle mass, made up 

 largely of small stones or particles of rock ; the material easily disintegrates and falls 

 as an earthy sediment when placed in water. 



Though not a first quality marl, it might be used beneficially on both heavy and 

 light loams deficient in lime. 



'o' 



Calcareous Deposit or Indurated Marl. — Sent by George E. Winkler, Penticton, 

 B.C., who states that it is found as a deposit from the waters of certain springs and 

 streams in his neighbourhood which are richly impregnated with carbonate of lime. 



Its analysis afforded the following data : — 



Analysis. 



Per cent. 



Carbonate of lime 72-99 



Insoluble rock matter 18-74 



Oxide of iron and alumina, 3-70 



Phosphoric acid -15 



Organic matter, by difference 4-42 



100-00 

 If crushed, this material would no doubt be useful in furnishing lime to soils 

 deficient in this element. In its present condition, being so hard and refractory, its 

 application would result in very little benefit. 



The percentage of phosphoric acid is so small that the deposit cannot be said to 

 have any value from the standpoint of a phosphatic fertilizer. 



Further information respecting these deposits, which occur at many points in the 

 so-called semi-dry belt of British Columbia, will be found in the report of this Divi- 

 sion for 1904. 



Gypsum. — A sample stated to be from Tobique, N.B., and sent in for examination 

 as to quality by M. A. Bourbeau, Victoriaville, Que., was found of excellent quality 

 containing 94-12 per cent sulphate of lime. 



A specimen sent by Mr. PI. D. Buchannan, Sussex, N.B., and stated to be repre- 

 sentative of a very large deposit, was also submitted to analysis. It contained 94-40 

 per cent sulphate of lime. 



When crushed or ground this forms the well known land plaster. The agricultural 

 value of this material depends largely upon the nature and composition of the soil. 

 As it is not a fertilizer in the commonly accepted meaning of the term, that is, it does 

 not furnish nitrogen, phosphoric acid or potash, it is very doubtful if it could be used 

 profitably on any poor soils unless associated with an application of barnyard manure. 

 It certainly furnishes lime, an element of plant food and, further, serves to liberate 

 potash from its inert stores in the soils. Possibly it may help to flocculate heavy soils 

 and thus improve their tilth. 



In previous reports we have emphasized the advantage of using finely ground 

 gypsum in the stable. By this means it renders a most valuable service in preventing 

 loss of nitrogen as ammonia from the manure, and, of course, eventually finds its way 

 to the soil. 



The crops apparently most benefited by gypsum are clover and peas. 



16— Hi 



