134 EXPERIME27TAL FARMS. 



The addition of composted muck, if such is procurable, is to be recommended 

 for improvement of tilth and enrichment of the soil in plant food. 



Numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10 are samples of surface soil from the Experimental Farm 

 at Agassiz. Like the other British Columbia soils examined, they may be classed as 

 of medium quality. In tilth they are rather light, though possessing a fair amount 

 of clay. In potash they are all slightly above the average. With the exception of 

 N'o. 8 (from the second bench), they are very similar as regards nitrogen and 

 phosphoric acid, containing what may be regarded as amounts equal to those in 

 average fertile soils. The data prove the soil from the first bench (No. 7) to be a. 

 little richer in nitrogen than the others. Nos. 9 and 10, from the valley, are almost 

 identical in all essential particulars. AH these samples arp to be considered as some- 

 what deficient in lime, one per cent being the lowest limit placed by many author- 

 ities for the best results. 



PEOYINCE OF ONTARIO. 



Nos. 11 and 12 are surface soil and subsoil from the district of Parry Sound, 

 and constitute members in a series of soils from Muskoka that are being examined 

 in our laboratories. 



The results of the analyses of the first five samples in the series are detailed in 

 my report for 1891. These soils were obtained with great care by Mr.G. S. Wilgress, 

 B.A., Barrister at Huntsville, who assures me that they are thoroughly representa- 

 tive of the districts from_ which they were obtained. 



The specimens were procured from Lot 28, Concession 1, Township Perry. "The 

 surface of the land is level or gently sloping, there being no rocky bluff's. The soil 

 is somewhat stony and light in character, producing before cultivation much excel- 

 lent hardwood, e.g., maple, beech, birch and ironwood. The field from which the 

 samples were taken was in summer fallow. It had never been manured, but had 

 grown a splendid crop of oats the year before." 



Both surface soil and subsoil are light in character, sand predominating. In thi& 

 respect they are similar to the Muskoka soils already reported upon. As re^rds 

 the important and valuable constituent, nitrogen, the surface soil is considerably 

 above the average ('280 per cent), while the subsoil contains a very fair pei'centage. 

 In potash, they are very low. In phosphoric acid they are close to the average 

 found in soils of this character. In lime they are particularly deficient. 



In favourable seasons, when the rainfall is ample, this soil will undoubtedly yield 

 good crops, though somewhat too light for the best results with cereals. An admix- 

 ture with clay, if such is possible, and the occasional ploughing under of a green crop, 

 would, I consider, prove of much benefit. It is a warm soil and one that would res- 

 pond readily to manures; at the same time it is one that would leach easily (more 

 especially as the subsoil is sandy), and therefore requires frequent applications of 

 manure rather than larger quantities at longer intervals. To supply potash and 

 lime, wood ashes and marl are to be recommended. For fruit trees and root crops, 

 such an application will be found of great benefit. 



PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. 



The soil and subsoil Nos. 13 and 14 are from St. Clet, Soulanges. The surface 

 soil is a dark gray sandy loam. It is somewhat lighter in character than 

 betokens the best tilth. It is a warm soil, permeable to water and air, and, though 

 a responsH'e soil, is one that easily leaches. In all the essential elements of plant 

 food this soil may be placed with those of ordinary fertility. 



To increase its percentage of nitrogen and at the same time improve its tilth, 

 the ploughing under of green crops (as before recommended) is advisable. When 

 applying farmyard manure to soils of this character, it is usually a good practice ta 

 spread the well rotted manure immediately before the spring ploughing. A dressing 

 of marl, plaster or lime would prove of benefit to most crops grown on this soil, as 

 the latter is somewhat deficient in calcareous matter. 



Samples Nos. 15 and 16 are from St. Ignace du Nomininque, Ottawa Co., and 

 represent the character of much of the soil and subsoil on the Li^vre River. Very 



