128 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



past seven years is allowed by the data set forth in table II, and it is interesting to 

 note how very close the figures for the last mentioned datum are to the average for 

 the -whole period of seven years during which this examination has been carried on. 



Table II.^ — Precipitation and Amount of Nitrogen per Acre, Ottawa, Ont., 1908-1914. 



In table III the weights and proportions of the total nitrogen furnished by tlie 

 rain and snow respectively are presented for the year and for the experimental period 

 1908-1914. Of the total amount of nitrogen per acre, for the past year, 6-208 pounds, 

 the data indicate that 5.192 pounds or 84 per cent of the whole was furnished by the 

 rain, and 1.016 pounds, or 16 per cent, by the snow. It will be observed that for the 

 past 5 years the proportions so supplied are remarkably constant, leading to the con- 

 clusion that for the precipitation at Ottawa practically 85 per cent of the total nitrogen 

 is found in the rain. 



Table III. — Amounts of Nitrogen furnished by Rain and Snow.- 



-* Snowfall exceptionally heavy. 



t Rain abnormally lich in animonia due to bush fires. 



The data of table IV arc of interest in showing the distribution or proportion of 

 the various nitrogen compounds in the rain and snow. Of the total nitrogen, 6.208 

 pounds, there are 4.471 pounds, or 72 per cent of the whole present as free and organic 

 ammonia and 1-737 pounds, or 28 per cent as nitrates and nitrites. These ratios are 

 identical with those of last year and in close accord with those obtained throughout 

 the period of investigation. 



The greater richness of the rain in nitrogen compounds is also brought out by 

 the tabulated figures. 



