REPORT OF THE CHEMIST 189 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Laby. No. 8573. — From St. George, N.B. A typical ' mussel mud,' consisting of 

 many mussel shells embedded in a matrix of clay rich in , organic matter. The air- 

 dried sample contained 24-90 per cent carbonate of lime and 14-98 per cent of organic 

 matter. In fertilizing constituents the following results were obtained: — 



Nitrogen »417 per cent. 



Phosphoric acid -16 " 



Potash -25 " 



This is one of the best samples of mussel mud we have examined, both as to lime 

 and nitrogen content. An occasional application to soils requiring enrichment in 

 these constituents would no doubt give a good return. 



Laby. No. 8259. — From Pedder Bay, Metchosin, B.C. This was forwarded under 

 the name of ' clam-shell mud,' though evidence of the presence of clams was not appar- 

 ent. It is reported as covering the flats of the bay to a depth of six inches or so. It 

 is very slimy, tenacious and has a disagreeable smell. Its application, according to 

 accounts has usually resulted in increased yields. In the air-dried condition it 

 afforded the following data: — 



Moisture 2-18 per cent. 



Organic and volatile matter 3-15 " 



Carbonate of lime 3-55 " 



Clay and sand .' 87-09 " 



Phosphoric acid -21 " 



Potash ' -14 " 



Undetermined 3-68 " 



100-00 



Nitrogen, in organic matter -08 " 



The amounts of plant food present are not larger than in soils of medium fertility. 

 Possibly its value lies, in part, in its effect upon the physical condition of the soil and 

 in part in the fair degree of availability of its fertilizing constituents. 



Laby. No. 7656. — From Little Harbour, P.E.I. This was dug from the bed of a 

 river. It consisted essentially of clay more or less rich in organic matter, with a few 

 shells. Air-dried it contained 3-0 per cent of carbonate of lime and 16-94 per cent 

 of organic matter. The nitrogen content was .78 per cent. 



The value of this ' mud ' would, in all probability, be most apparent on light soils, 

 poor in humus. As it is so low in manurial elements, its profitable use would be 

 largely governed by the expense in digging and putting on the land. 



MUCKS. 



Laby. No. 8039. — Swamp muck from a deposit 7 to 10 feet in depth, on the Nash- 

 waak Eiver, near Frederieton, N.B. Its analysis, after air-drying, furnished the 

 following figures: — 



Moisture 8-43 per cent. 



Organic matter 49-46 " 



Clay, sand, etc. (by difference) 42.11 " 



100-00 " 

 Nitrogen, in organic matter 1-50 " 



