REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST 147 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



associated witli lime in an alkaline form, and, therefore, particularly adapted for sour, 

 peaty soils. It might be tried at the rate of 300 to 500 lbs. per acre, together with 100 

 to 200 lbs. of muria'te of potash. 



In all tliis work it should i)e the aim not to bury the fertilizer, but to keep It ia 

 the surface few inches of the soil. It will naturally and of its own accord tend to 

 sink. 



Crffps. — There are few crops that will give lucrative yields on muck soils unless 

 the latter received some treatment as already outlined. Probably Timothy succeeds 

 best of all on the crude muck. Neither roots nor cereals can be considered as natur- 

 ally adapted to such soils, but several may be grown with profit after the lacking 

 mineral elements have been supplied. Potatoes, mangels, oats and Indian corn have 

 all done fairly well under such improved conditions. 



Subsoil. — This is of the nature of a 'hard pan,' consisting chiefly of compacted 

 sand. It, nevertheless, contains some organic matter and nitrogen, as is shown by the 

 following partial analysis. 



Analysis of (air-dried) Siibsoil. 



Moisture S'OO 



Organic and volatile matter ■ 11 i 



Sand and other rock matter SS'Ol 



100*00 

 JN'ltrogen '123 



This subsoil is not, unfortunately, rich in lime or phosphoric acid, but this should 

 not prevent its judiciou? admixture with the surface soil wherever possible, for such 

 v^ould undoubtedly enhance the crop-producing power of the latter. 



Kingcomc Inlet, B.C. — A dark-gray loam of granular texture, in which the com- 

 paratively large amount of organic matter is intimately incorporated with the silt 

 and fine sand which form the mineral basis of the soil. Laboratory trials go to show 

 that the mechanical or physical condition of this soil is excellent and that it would 

 be suitable for the majority of farm crops. 



Our correspondent, in forwarding the soil, furnishes the following particulars : 

 ' This is representative of the soil in this valley. The soil has been dyked and cultivated 

 for seven years. Occassionally, perhaps once a year, the tide will overflow the dyke. 

 It is underdrained with cedar drains and the water does not lie on the land. The 

 climate here is decidedly wet, for the rainfall is a heavy one, but there is no record 

 kept. Please advise m.e as to the best fertilizer to use.' 



Analysis of (air-dried) Soil. 



Moisture 1 '^ 



Organic and volatile matter 10 4:3 



Insoluble matter (sand, &c.) 73 82 



Oxide of iron and alumina 13^1ij 



Lime '^"^ 



Magnesia 



Potash "Gl 



Phosphoric acid 2" 



100-25 

 16— lOi 



