REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 



135 



little difference, either chemically or physicalh^, is to be noticed between the surface 

 and the underlying soil. They are clay loams, of a gray colour and somewhat 

 heavy in texture. To mellow the surface soil (No. 15) drainage is necessary; by 

 this means the tilth would be much improved. It is a retentive and strong soil, 

 being more especially adapted to the growth of cereals. Eespecting its elements of 

 plant food, it may be regarded as of average fertility, though in potash the percent- 

 age is low. Marl, muck and wood ashes are natural fertilizers the application of 

 which would yield good returns. Barnyard manure, which might be ploughed under 

 green, in addition to thorough drainage, would make this an excellent soil. 



ALKALINE SOILS. 



The investigation into the character of these soils with a view to their ameliora- 

 tion was commenced nearly two years ago. In our report for 1891 analyses are to 

 be found of three specimens of soils impregnated with " alkali." The data showed 

 that sulphate of magnesium (Epsom salts), and not sulphate or carbonate of sodium 

 (the usual forms of alkali), was in all probability the cause of the barrenness of the 

 soil. The following suggestions were then made for the improvement of these 

 soils : — 



" As the alkali is soluble in water, a thorough drainage sj^stem should be resorted 

 to wherever practicable. I am firmly of the belief that this would be the most 

 efficacious method of getting rid of the poisonous material. Deep ploughing should 

 be practised. Thorough tillage prevents surfVice evaporation and the accumulation of 

 alkali near ihe surface. A heavy dressing of barnyard manure, animal refuse or 

 other highly nitrogenous organic matter, is said by many to materially improve 

 these alkali patches, inducing a vigorous growth. Again, by others gypsum is 

 strongly recommended. Where the alkali is carbonate of soda, gypsum is beneficial 

 in converting this caustic salt into one less deleterious to vegetation. '| 



Since that date further analyses of alkaline soils have been made*. Laboi-atory 

 experiments also have been instituted which had for their object the rendering inert 

 to vegetation the corrosive or poisonous material in the soil. The results obtained 

 by the analyses of four samples during the past year are as follows: — 



Analysis of Water-soluble Contents of Air-dried Alkaline Soils. 



The theoretical combination of these constituents maybe stated as follows 

 No. 1. — Near Oak Point — 



Per cent. 



Magnesium sulphate (Epsom !-;il'-) 14-88 



Sodium sulphate (Glauber's sail) 9-65 



" chloride (common suit, 3-93 



Calcium sulphate (gyps'Um) ^83 



No. 2.— Near Oak Point- 

 Magnesium sulphate (Epsom snli-) 1*72 



" chloride -15 



Sodium chloride "94 



Calcium carbonate (carbonate of lime) ^23 



ft 



