REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 195 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



show considerable percentages of organic matter and nitrogen in this clay — at any 

 rate for some few inches — as the surface soil, characterized by such rich stores of 

 these constituents, passes without any strong line of demarkation into the subsoil. 



Crossing the railway track, we drove to the company's farm (Sec. XV.) and 

 inspected the soil at a number of points upon it and as far south as the secondary 

 irrigation canal ' A.' The surface soil, apparently similar in all respects to that north 

 of the railway track, had a depth of from 4 to 8 inches and was underlaid by the 

 heavy, chocolate coloured clay already described. 



Following east from Langdon along the Blackfoot trail, the soil was examined in 

 four places between Langdon and the canal between sections 6 and 7, T. 23, R. 25. 

 The soil throughout was extremely uniform in character, a black loam from 4 to 8 

 inches in depth, and underlaid by a heavy, chocolate coloured subsoil. 



After crossing the ditch, an examination was made in N.E. ^ Sec. 6, T. 23, R. 

 25, where the same heavy, black loam prevailed with a depth of 4 to 6 inches. The 

 subsoil was practically identical with that found at points previously inspected. 



Driving northwest towards Strathmore, an examination was made on Sec. 29, 

 T. 23, R. 25, and no change of mark could be noticed either in soil or subsoil. 



The next day we drove south from Strathmore and made the first soil inspection 

 about 2J miles from that place, on Sec. 3, T. 24, R. 25. A change in the texture of 

 the soil was here observable — there was decidedly more sand, both in the surface and 

 subsoil. Although lighter in character than that previoiisly examined, the soil showed 

 no appreciable diminution in vegetable matter, being deep black and well supplied 

 with root fibre. The subsoil was of a sandy nature. In a depression or hollow, 15 

 inches of black, sandy loam was found, but on the upland the depth of the surface 

 soil. did not vary to any degree from that already noted. 



Turning northward, two inspections were made between the latter point and 

 Strathmore. the first on Sec. 3, and the second on Sec. 2, T. 24, R. 25. In both in- 

 stances a deep, black sandy loam formed the surface soil, with a depth of about 6 

 inches, underlaid by a brownish-red sandy subsoil. The soil in the immediate neigh- 

 bourhood of the C.P.R. Co. construction camp at Strathmore, was a black, sandy loam 

 about 5 inches deep, underlaid by sand. 



Proceeding to the company's farm, on Sec. 11. T. 24, R. 25, four to six inches of 

 black, sandy loam was found to constitute the surface soil, underlaid by about 2 inch'-'S 

 of sand, beneath which was clay. An examination at Secondary Canal, Sec. 12, T. 

 24, R. 25, showed a black loam, rather light in character, v^-ith a depth of about 3 

 inches with a sandy sulsoil. 



From Strathmore to Gleichen. the route lies southeast, the trail running north of 

 lakes Eagle and Kamaka, and in a general sense pai-allel to the C.P.R. track, though 

 considerably north of it. On Sec. 1, T. 24, R. 24, the black loam that formed the sur- 

 face soil was from 4 to G inches deep, and it, as well as the subioil, was considerably 

 heavier (less sandy) than in the neighbourhood of Strathmore. 



From six to eight inches of a moderately heavy, black loam were found on Sec. 

 32, T. 22, R. 23, with a subsoil of comparatively stiff clay. A further trial pit was 

 made on Sec. 23. T. 22. R. 23, and revealed a depth of about six inches of blaek soil 

 underlaid by a distinctly heavy clay. 



One examination was made east of Gleichen, on a breaking about half a mile from 

 the village. Here there was a depth of fully eight inches of heavy, black soil under- 

 laid by a chocolate coloured clay. 



The lighter character of the soil in the neighbourhood of Strathmore, has already 

 been remarked upon. With this exception it will be observed that the surface soil 

 along the whole route travelled presented a certain well marked uniformity, more 

 particularly noticeable in humus-content (as judged by the colour) and depth. Such 

 uniformity constitutes a distinguishing feature of prairie lands. A more detail6d and 

 extended survey migh't show a greater variation than was noticed, and possibly analysis 

 might disclose differences not otherwise detectable, but as far as examination allows a 



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