REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 



133 



Analysis of Air-dried Surface Soil. 



The surface soil is therefore exceedingly rich iu organic matter and nitrogen. 

 With a proper admixture of sand and clay, a soil would result, that in tilth and fer- 

 tilit}" would equal the most productive lands of the Dominion. Good drainage, a 

 certain mixture of the subsoil and an occasional application of wood ashes and lime 

 or marl, are all that is necessary to ensure abundant crops, providing that climatic 

 influences are favourable. 



The subsoil (No. 4) is heavy clay, possessing very little sand. Its potash and 

 phosphoric acid are in fair amounts. For a subsoil, its nitrogen may be termed 

 high. In lime it is somewhat deficient. A peculiarity to be noted is the large per- 

 centage of oxide of iron and alumina it contains. 



No. 5 is a surface soil from the Squamish Valley in the district of New West- 

 minster. " The valley is said to have an area of 14,000 acres. The only drainage 

 at present is the natural one by rivers and creeks. The surface soil has an average 

 depth of fifteen inches, the sample for analysis being representative of the first six 

 inches. The underlying subsoil is of clay, though occasionally running into sand." 



Though fairly rich in mineral constituents this soil is poor in humus and 

 nitrogen. To improve it chemically and phj'sically, heavy dressings of barnyard 

 manure are necessary. An alternate method, and perhaps under the circumstances 

 a more economical one, would be to tui-n under some green crop, preferably, clover 

 or pease, which should be ploughed in while the plants are in flower. Such a treat- 

 ment would not only add nitrogen in an available Ibrm, but improve the tilth and 

 absorbent character of the soil. 



No. 6 is a specimen of surface soil from Alberni, Island of Vancouver. The 

 sample represents the soil to a depth of ten inches from an approximate area of 

 10,000 acres. The depth of the surface soil varies from a few inches to about four 

 feet. The subsoil is variable, sometimes clay, sometimes sand and gravel. The soil 

 is of a deep red colour, due to the presence of a large percentage of oxide of iron. It 

 is essentially clay. 



From the analysis I judge it to be a soil of fair quality. Of the important con- 

 stituents, it is rich in potash — which might be expected from its origin — poor in 

 phosphoric acid and of medium richness as regards nitrogen. To improve it in this 

 latter respect, liberal application of barnj^ard manure or the turning under of several 

 crops of growing clover or pease would be advantageous. Nitrate of soda or sulphate 

 of ammonia applied in the spi-ing would also give excellent results. Since these 

 latter fertilizers are costly, their economic use can only be determined after several 

 years of trial with varying quantities. It is always the safest practice, before ap- 

 plying more extensiveJy these concentrated fertilizers, to asertain on small areas 

 the amount that gives the best results. Fish waste is also to be highly recommended 

 as a valuable manure for these soils. 



To furnish phosphoric acid, superphosphate of lime or ground bones may be used. 

 The former gives more immediate results, while the eflfect of the latter is more 

 lasting in the soil. 



