132 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



constituent they compare very favourably with ordinary subsoils. It is to be espe- 

 cially noted that they contain a high percentage of carbonate of lime. 



For subsoils, therefore, they cannot be considered deficient in the essential 

 elements of plant food. 



A careful examination was then made for the presence of any deleterious alkali. 

 The following are our results : — 



No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. 



Total water-soluble content -307 '072 -167 



which on analysis was found to contain 

 Soda (Nag O) , -04 — trace 



Potash (Kg^) '01 trace — 



Lime (CaO) trace " trace 



Magnesia (MgO) " " 



Sulphuric acid (SO3) "03 none none 



It is very evident from the above results that these are not alkaline soils, since 

 the amounts of alkaline salts here found are well within the limits of those in good, 

 arable soils. I conclude, therefore, that these soils do not contain any compound 

 deleterious to vegetation. 



It has already been mentioned that tilth or mechanical texture of soils is an 

 important factor in soil fertility. From the nature of these samples, I am led to 

 believe that the apparent barrenness is due to physical rather than to chemical causes. 

 Calcareous soils, such as these, are extremely absorbent. Though they are capable of 

 holding a considerable amount of water, they yield this water with difficulty to 

 the roots of growing crops. It is also a characteristic of this class of soils that 

 they generally appear dry, in spite of the fact that they may contain a very fair 

 percentage of moisture. 



These soils are from districts which enjoy a very limited rainfall ; it is there- 

 fore possible that their barrenness may be in part, if not wholly, due to the absorp- 

 tion and retention of much of this small quantity of rain. 



If the overlying surface soil is sufficiently deep and fairly rich in nitrogen, and 

 the climatic conditions (rainfall, &c.) are favourable, there would appear to be no 

 reason why remunerative crops could not be raised upon these soils. The alleged bar- 

 renness points to a too shallow or too poor surface soil, to an unsuitable tilth or an 

 insufficient rainfall or other unfavourable climatic condition. 



BEITISH COLUMBIA. 



No. 4. — Soil from Ohilliwack, B.C. This consisted of samples of the upper and 

 lower layers of the surface soil and of the subsoil. It is reported by Mr. Chapman 

 of Chilliwack, who forwarded the samples, that they ai'e representative of an area 

 of about 4,000 acres, all taken up with homesteads of Ib'O acres each. The tract lies 

 between the mountain range and the Fras^er Eiver. Numerous streams flow from 

 the mountain. These, on reaching the base, have no regular channels, and in con- 

 sequence spread over the surface of the land, finally collecting into a sluggish stream 

 which flows into the Fi-aser Eiver. Mr. Chapman writes that a drainage scheme is 

 now in progress to reclaim this large area of land. He reports that good yields of 

 the cereals are obtained, though there is a tendency to lodge. Eoots and vegetables 

 also, with a few exceptions, do very well. 



The specimens of the upper and lower layers of the surface soil — which varies 

 in depth from 2 feet to 4 feet — are peaty in character, reducing easily in the air- 

 dried condition to a deep brown powder. They were submitted to a partial analysis, 

 with the following results : — 



