100 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE V.i A. 1915 



It could, however, be used to advantage on sour soils and those naturally deficient in 

 lime — indeed on all soils needing that element — provided it were cheaply obtained. 



Laboratory No. IJfJtSl. — A ' calcareous clay ' from Yittoria, Ontario. The corre- 

 spondent writes ' There is a deposit of this material of about 18 inches covering about 

 20 acres at the foot of a hill and through which runs a small stream of water. It 

 has evidently been a swamp.' 



Analysis. 



Carbonate of lime 62.25 



Clay, sands, etc. (insoluble in acid) 32.22 



Oxide of iron, etc, by difference 5.53 



100.00 



We might predict that this ' clay ' would be useful to sour soils and those 

 deficient in lime; it is not, however, of first quality, considered as a source of lime. 



Lahoratory No. 1S969. — A 'calcareous deposit' from Hedley, B.C., and for- 

 warded for information as to its use and value in agriculture. 



Analysis. 



Carbonate of lime 14.02 



Sulphate of lime 77-27 



Clay, sand, etc. (insoluble In acid) 32.22 



Undetermined 5-31 



100.00 



This deposit is a mixture of sulphate and carbonate of lime, the former pre- 

 dominating. Sulphate of lime or gypsum has an agricultural value, chiefly, prob- 

 ably, in liberating potash from its inert stores in the soil, and has been found of 

 especial value for clover, a potash-loving crop. Though the percentage of carbonate 

 of lime is not large, it is sufficient to make the deposit of value for the correcting 

 of sourness of poorly drained soils. The application might be from 1,000 to 3.000 

 lbs. per acre. 



Lahoratory No. 15051. — Described as 'rock deposit' from Saanich Peninsula, 

 B.C., and occurring as a bed or deposit of decomposed material overlying limestone. 



Analysis. 



Per cent. 



Mineral matter insoluble in acid 57-84 



Oxide of iron and alumina 24.92 



Lime 2.41 



Magnesia 2.84 



Potash , trace. 



Phosphoric acid " 



This deposit cannot be considered of any agricultural value, the lime content 

 being too small to make the material of use as an amendment for sour soils, and the 

 potash and phosphoric acid being present in traces only. 



Lahoratory No. lJfl95. — ' Grey limestone ' from J. F. H., Buckingham, Que. 

 Received in the form of a fine powder, with a request for information as to its value 

 for agricultural purposes. 



Analysis. 



Carbonate of lime 91.30 



Mineral matter insoluble in acid 1.70 



Oxide of iron, alumina, etc. (undetermined)....' 7-00 



100.00 



This is a limestone of good quality and the degree of fineness to which it has 

 been ground enhances its agricultural value from the standpoint of availability. 



