15a EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4-5 EDWARD VII., A. 1905 



The possibilities are sti-ong that the soil will respond to applications of lime and 

 potash. For this, no better fertilizer coitM be found than wood ashes. If such are not 

 obtainable, potash may be used in the form of kainit or of muriate of potash, and lime 

 — or some compound of lime — as marl or gas lime, as circumstances allow, employed. 



PEACE RIVER DISTRICT, 



This soil was collected by Mr. James M. Macoun, of the Geological Survey of 

 Canada, during his exploration in the Peace Eiver district in 1903. The analysis was 

 made in order to obtain chemical evidence as to the quality of the land, the results to 

 accompany the report of Mr. Macoun on the agricultural possibilities of that district. 



The samples (soil and subsoil) were taken near Saskatoon on Serviceberry lake 

 at the west end of the Grande prairie, Lat. 65° 15', Long. 119° 11'. 



Surface Soil. — A heavy clay loam, but containing a small percentage of fine 

 sand. Black or very dark brownish-black, from presence of humus (vegetable matter). 

 As leceivc:!. in the air-dried condition, it was in lumps and powder, the former, while 

 not readily friable, could not be considered refractory. Tt had all the appearance of 

 a fertile loam, and one that would prove suitable for the majority of farm crops, pro- 

 vided it were deep enough.* 



It was found to have a very slightly acid reaction. Tested for ' alliali,' only traces 

 of common salt were found, though careful search for injurious sodium and magnes- 

 ium compounds was made. A qualitative examination for lime, showed that the soil 

 was by no means deficient in this element. A partial analysis of the air-dried sample 

 furnished the following data: — 



Per cent. 



Moisture 3'U 



Organic and volatile matter 11-82 



Nitrogen '471 



We have in these results ample and emphatic evidence of the richness of this soil in 

 humus compounds and nitrogen, equalling in these respects mudi of the fertile prairie 

 soil of Manitoba and the North-west Territories. Time has not allowed any deter- 

 mination of the potash and phosphoric acid, but judging from past experience with 

 coils of a similar humus and nitrogen content, this soil in all probability is well sup- 

 pled wth these consttuents. 



Subsoil. — This, as received, was in hard, exceedingly refractory lumps, of a grey- 

 ish colour. Though in appearance and texture it was of an undesirable nature for 

 mixing with the surface soil, analysis showed it to contain notable amounts of or- 

 ganic matter and nitrogen. The data are as follows : — 



Per cent. 



Moisture 3'42 



Organic and volatile matter S'Ol 



Nitrogen *174 



The general deductions that I am enabled to make from this preliminary examina 

 tion are that tlie soil is by no means wanting in the elements of fertility, the chief 

 drawback being its reported shallowness. With good drainage,' careful culture— 

 particularly avoiding all working of the soil when wet — and favourable climatia> con- 

 ditions, it should prove a strong, productive soil, quite capable of yielding remunera- 

 tive crops, 



* Mr. Macoun states that the surface soil is but 3 or 4 inches thick, resting without any- 

 gradual transition on the heavy plastic subsoil of clav. 



