94 EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



is one of the most acceptable forms for supplying this element. If basic slag were 

 . used, as suggested in. a preceding paragraph, there would be no need possibly for a 

 special application of lime, as this fertilizer contains a fair quantity in a state or 

 combination that is very useful agriculturally. Marl and ground limestone also sug- 

 gest themselves as sources of lime useful on such soils. 



A word of caution must be given with 'respect to the use of quicklime on poor 

 soils. Though a response may be obtained at the outset, the continued or excessive 

 employment of this material will bring disappointment uiiless at the same time the 

 soil is generally enriched, as through manuring and the adoption of a rational rota- 

 tion. These soils stand in need of lime, but they are also otherwise poor, and if lime 

 only is used, the immediate return is at the expense of the soil's fertility and impover- 

 ishment rather than enrichment results. 



Lahy. No. 8760. — Although in certain particulars this soil is not equal to No. 

 8758, notably in containing less nitrogen and phosphoric acid, it is on the whole 

 to be regarded as distinctly superior for many farm crops. Its organic matter 

 is more humified and more intimately incorporated with the mineral components and 

 it is in consequence more homogeneous and better adapted to the retention of moisture 

 and to the favourable extension and development of the root system. The absence of 

 such a large proportion of stone and rock fragments as characterizes No. 8758, and the 

 larger clay content of this sample are in its favour. It is a soil that should prove very 

 satisfactory under intelligent cultivation. 



There are not any marked or particular deficiencies, so far as can be learned 

 from the chemical data, though with improvement by manures and the increase of its 

 organic content, the rational use of fertilizers would in all probability prove profitable. 

 As a source of phosphoric acid the indications are that basic slag would be suitable. 

 The desirability of organic manure was mentioned in discussing the physical data, 

 and such manures would no doubt be the best forms to introduce nitrogen. 



For a soil of this type we should consider the lime content too low for the best 

 returns. An occasional liming might therefore, be recommended, as tending to the 

 improvement of tilth, the promotion of nitrification and the supplying of plant food, 

 directly and indirectly, .^ny of the forms of this amendment previously mentioned 

 could be used. 



Laby. No. 8761. — In colour and general appearance this soil is not unlike No. 

 8760; closer examination, however, shov/s it to contain a considerable proportion of 

 gravel absent in the sample just discussed. In many of the chemical data — as in 

 organic matter, nitrogen, insoluble mineral matter, oxide of iron and the amounts of 

 'available' phosphoric acid and potash, these two soils show a very strong similarity. 

 It I'owever proves to be ■nuch poorer in ' total ' phosphoric acid, indicating that the 

 stores of this element v^fA require replenishing at an earlier date. A further feature 

 in which it differs from No. 8760, is its greater poverty in lime and hence the greater 

 improvement that may be expected from liming, provided this is judiciously accom- 

 plished. 



SOILS FROM AVARD 1, CORXWALLIS., KINGS CO., N.S. 



No. 1. Woodside Farm. — From centre of big orchard, south of big barn. In 

 the air-dried condition this sample was of a dull or chocolate-red colour. It is 

 osfentially a coarse-grained sand, with some pebbles and small quartz fragments. 

 The masses of agglutinated sand particles are quite friable, being readily crushed 

 between thumb and finger. The proportion of clay and silt is veiy small. There 

 is but little evidence of vegetable debris. Reaction : very slig^?itly acid. 



No. 2. ^Nood8^de Farm. — From directly northwest of big barn. Very similar 

 in colour and general structure to No. 1, but a somewhai" coarser soil with appar- 

 ently a large proportion of gravel. Eeaction: very faintly acid. 



