164 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 



lizer it has an additional value in lib?i'ating in an available form potash from its locked- 

 up stores (the double silicates) in the soil. It may, therefore, in a sense be considered 

 a potassic fertilizer. For this reason especially, it has been found of benefit for 

 leguminous crops, such as clover, beans and pease, plants which respond readily to 

 treatment with potash. As a manure for turnips, Indian corn and many leafy crops, 

 it has also been used profitably, as well as for top-dressing grass lands, in which it 

 encourages the growth of the clovers. Very poor soils give but little return, as a rule, 

 from a dressing of gypsum — on such it must be supplemented by a more complete 

 manure — but on rich soils and with the afore-mentioned crops it is wont to give an 

 immediate return. 



From an agricultural stand-point, however, one of the most valuable properties 

 of this material is that of ' fixing ' or retaining anmionia. Rather than apply it 

 directly to the soil, we, therefore, advise its use as an absorbent in the stable and cow- 

 house, where, sprinkled on the floor, it will prevent the loss of ammonia from the 

 fermenting urine. Thus, the atmosphere of these buildings is rendered more whole- 

 some for the farm animals, and the manure made more valuable. A sample of 

 gypsum sent by Mr. J. R. Mosher, Kempt Shore, N.S., and recently analysed by us, 

 afforded the following data : — 



Per cent. 



Insoluble rock matter. 2 '99 



Calcium sulphate (gypsum) 91 "80 



Undetermined mineral constituents 5 "21 



100-00 

 It is evidently a very good sample. 



Former analyses of samples from Xova Scotia made in the Farm Laboratories 

 may be tabulated as follows: — 



A. B. 



Insoluble rock matter 15 '85 48 



Calcium sulphate (gypsum) 68 '65 97' 53 



Oxide of iron and alumin:i 3'91 Traces. 



Calcium carbonate 4*98 .... 



Magnesium carbonate, etc. (undetermined) 601 199 



100 '00 100 00 



Gypsum occurs in Canada, essentially, in large irregular masses, from a few 

 yards to one-quarter of a mile in extent, and from 5 to 8 feet in thiclaaess. 



In Ontario, it is more especially found in large lenticular masses, interstratified 

 with dolomitic rocks, in the vicinity of Paris and along the Grand River, between 

 Paris and Cayuga. It is also quarried in large quantities in New Brunswick and 

 Kova Scotia, occurring in vast deposits near Hillsboro,' Petitcodiac, along the 

 Tobique River, X.B., and at Wentworth and Montague, in Hants county, and other 

 places in Nova Scotia. 



WOOD ASHES. 



Attention has frequently been directed to this home-protluv'ed fertilizer, more 

 particularly as a source of potash, and analyses of samples collected in various parts 

 have from time to time appeared in our reports. The composition of wood ashes must 



