96 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



grown, whicli will enrich the soil not only in organic matter but in the equally needed 

 nitrogen. 



Secondly, the very low lime-content leads to the conclusion that an application of 

 lime or finely ground limestone would be beneficial, and we should strongly advise one 

 or other as an economical means of raising the productiveness of these soils. 



Judging from the amount of ' available ' phosphoric acid present, there does not 

 seem to be any immediate need of a phosphatic fertilizer. If, however, it is decided 

 to use such we would recommend atrial with basic slag, which, considering the nature 

 of these soils, would appear to be the most suitable form in which to apply this element. 

 The percentages of ' available ' potash are n«ot so satisfactory as those of phosphoric 

 acid and indicat-e that a remunerative response might be obtained from an application 

 of a potassic fertilizer for fruit and root crops. 



With respect to soluble nitrogen (nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia) an 

 application of, say, 100 to 150 lbs. per acre, in the spring, would probably be advan- 

 tageous for grain and garden crops, but for orchard work we should consider bone meal 

 (which also furnishes phosphoric acid) a more desirable form. 



FERTILIZING MATERIALS. 



The official examination of commercial fertilizers sold in Canada is undertaLen 

 by the Inland Revenue Department and the Chemical Division of the Experimental 

 Farms does not, therefore, make any analyses of the various brands upon the market, 

 nor engage in any investigation in cases of alleged adulteration of these goods. There 

 are, however, here and there throughout the Dominion, many materials occurring 

 naturally that are of considerable fertilizing value and which, more or less easily 

 obtained, may be used to advantage by our farmers to improve and enrich their lands. 

 These materials comprise certain muds, mucks, marls, sea-weeds, fish refuse, etc., etc. It 

 has been our custom from the first to examine into their value and to advise farmers 

 respecting their economic u^e, and past reports of this Division contain much infor- 

 mation on this important matter. 



In the foUowiiig paragraphs an account is given of a number of these fertilizing 

 materials analysed during the past year, many of them having been sent in by farmers 

 for examination while others have been collected by the Division. 



Marl and Limestone. 



That many farmers, especially in the Eastern Provinces of the Dominion, are 

 awakening to the fact that there are soils that can be improved by liming, marling or 

 the application of ground limestone, has been noted in our recent reports. The demands 

 for information on this phase of agricultural practice continue to be received and 

 many samples of marl and of rocks supposed to be rich in carbonate of lime have been 

 sent in for examination. To make generally accessible information on the function 

 and uses of lime and its compounds in agriculture an article treating of the subject 

 in its various phases was written for the 1913 report of this Division. As copies of 

 this reixirt are still available, it will be unnecessary to repeat, in extenso, our reconi- 

 mendations and advice in this matter. The following paragraphs, however, have been 

 specially written to present succinctly the salient points, and they may give sufiicient 

 information to meet ordinary cases. We shall always be pleased, however, on appli- 

 cation, to supplement, as far as may be practicable, the particulars tl.ercin given and 

 to make suggestions for specific cases. 



Lime compounds. — Quicklime, slaked lime and carbonate of lime, though not 

 classed as fertilizers, perform certain useful functions in the soil, the chief of which 



