REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST 137 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



The value of cultivation has been by this series vrell brought out. The severe 

 drought during July and August specially accentuated this year the importance of 

 the dry earth mulch in conserving the moisture so necessary for the growth and thrift 

 of orchard trees, but the results may well serve as a guide for the management of 

 orchard soils in all districts where an insufficient rainfall is likely to occur. 



NATURALLY-OCCURRING FERTILIZERS AND WASTE PRODUCTS. 



MARSH MUD. 



This was collected at Flannery's Point, near Bathurst, N.B., and forwarded by 

 T. M. Burns, M.P.P., through. ]Mr. T. A. Peters, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, 

 Fredericton, N.B. 



The sample as received was of a light-grey colour, having all the appearances of 

 clay. It was practically free from stones, sticks, or other foreign matter. On exposure 

 to the air it dried into lumps or masses, which were, comparatively speaking, easily 

 crushed and reduced to powder. 



Analysis of (Air-dried) Mud. 



Per Cent. 



Moisture ■ ' 3-83 



Loss on ignition-organic matter 15-77 



Clay and sand 66-69 



Oxide of iron and alumina 8-33 



Lime -65 



Magnesia 1-57 



Potash -65 



Phosphoric acid '15 



Undetermined, including salt ' 2-36 



100 -00 

 Nitrogen, in organic matter -5S5 



It will be obvious from the above data that although this 'mud ' is not destitute 

 of plant food it cannot be considered in any way comparable to farm manures or com- 

 mercial fertilizers. However, if its application does not injuriously affect the tilth or 

 mechanical condition of the soil, I think it might be found a useful amendment. 



Its chief fertilizing constituent is nitrogen, of which it contains about as much as 

 is found in our best soils, and, therefore, it is possible that a tolerably heavy applica- 

 tion on soils poor in organic matter and nitrogen might prove of considerable benefit. 



My advice would be to try it at first on a small area and to note the result, both 

 on the condition of the soil and the crop yield. The character of the soil will no doubt 

 have much, to do with its efficiency, and careful notes should be taken as to the nature 

 of the soil to which it is applied and the ntmaber of loads spread per acre. 



In conclusion, it may be stated that its composition does not, I think, warrant any 

 great expenditure in its application, and this furnishes another reason for ascertain- 

 ing its effect on a small area before extensively applying it. 



SEMI-DECAYED SEAWEED. 



This material was forwarded by Mr. Donaldson, of Port "Williams, N.S., who 

 furnished the following information regarding its occurrence: 



' It is from Westport on Briar Island, the extreme western part of Nova Scotia, 

 where it is quite plentiful all along the shores of the island. It is there used as a 

 fertilizer, chiefly for grain and grass, I think. Several barrels were sent to our county 

 last spring and orchardists in this vicinity would be glad to know its value.' 



