183 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



Analysis of Gypsum. 



2 GEORGE V., A. 1912 



No. 1. — Windsor Plaster Co., Windsor, N.S. 



No. 2. — Great Northern Mills, Cape Breton, N.S. 



No. 3. — Forwarded by farmer at Beloeil, Que. 



Nos. 1 and 2 are samples of excellent quality, but No. 3 is decidedly inferior, con- 

 taining more than half its weight of insoluble rock matter. 



Land plaster must be regarded as an amendment rather than as a fertilizer, and 

 its agricultural value will depend largely on the nature of the soil and the character 

 of the crop to be sown. Though furnishing lime for the growth of crops it is of no 

 value to correct sourness, and therefore cannot be used in the place of lime, ground 

 limestone or marl, on soils suffering from acidity. It improves the physical condition 

 of heavy clay loams and of soils affected with ' black alkali.' Its chief value, however, 

 would appear to lie in its ability to liberate potash from the inert stores in the soil, 

 and it is for this reason probably that its application has proved beneficial to legume-, 

 and especially to clover and peas. The best way to use it is through the stable. If 

 sprinkled daily on the floor it will perform a most valuable service in preventing loss 

 of ammonia from the liquid portion of the manure, and, of course, will eventually find 

 its way to the soil with the application of the manure. 



MUDS. 



The samples of these materials examined since the issue of the last report are 

 briefly discussed in the following paragraphs: — 



Laby. No. 8776. — From Elliott Vale, P.E.T., and underlying a deposit of black, 

 swamp muck. As received it furnished the following analytical data:- — 



Moisture 18-73 per cent. 



Organic and volatile matter 31-15 " 



Carbonate of lime 42-33 " 



Clay, sand, etc G.64 " 



Undetermined 1-15 " 



100-00 



Nitrogen 1-15 " 



This ' mud ' is especially rich in carbonate of lime. 



Though not of the highest quality, it would be found useful for the improvement 

 of soils deficient in lime and those poor in vegetable matter. 



