255 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 19H 

 OYSTER MUD. 



This sample (Laboratory No. 11231), was sent from Amherst, N.S., and stated 

 to have been taken from an old oyster bed in the channel of a river. The correspon- 

 dent inquired as to its value as a fertilizer. It was of a reddish colour and consisted 

 of a matrix of clay in which was embedded a number of shells and fragments of sea- 

 weed. On drying it formed rather hard masses, which, however, were capable of 

 being reduced by moderate crushing. Its analysis accorded the following data: 



Analysis of (Air-dried) Mud. 



Per cent. 



Moisture -86 



Organic and volatile matter* 7-43 



Mineral matterf 91-71 



100-00 



•Containing nitrogen -144 



t Containing carbonate of lime 5-66 



Although this material has a certain agricultural value, it cannot properly be 

 considered as a ' fertilizer,' that is, it would not furnish in notable amounts any of 

 the essential constituents of plant growth, nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. It is 

 rather of the nature of an ' amendment,' and might be found useful for land that 

 would be benefited by liming. The proportion of nitrogen does not exceed that in 

 many soils of average fertility. It could not, therefore, be considered as of any 

 special value for furnishing this important element. The amounts of phosphoric acid 

 and potash were not obtained quantitatively but qualitative results showed that they 

 were insignificant and, therefore, of no particular, value from the standpoint of 

 enriching the soil. 



MUCKS. 



Laboratory Nos. 11115-6. — From Broughton Station, Que. These two samples 

 of swamp muck were rather peaty in character and decidedly acid. 

 As received, their analysis gave the following results: — 



Analysis. 



No. 11115. No. 11116. 

 Per cent. Per. cent. 



Water 24-46 18-24 



Organic matter 62-58 69-26 



Mineral matter (clay, sand, etc.) 12-96" 12-50 



10000 100-00 



Nitrogen in organic matter 1-33 1-59 



These are excellent mucks, rich in nitrogen and undoubtedly useful for the im- 

 provement of soils poor in humus. It is possible that their employment without 

 previous treatment might prove advantageous for heavier loams, but they should be 

 composted for lighter soils. 



INFUSORIAL EARTH. 



Laboratory No. 18289. — From Hillbank, Vancouver island, B.C. This material, 

 not unlike marl in appearance, underlies a large area of loam land which is of a 

 peaty nature. Examination shows it to be a species of ' infusorial earth,' consisting 

 largely of diatoms and sponge spicules. It is of no agricultural value, being practi- 

 cally destitute of plant food. Not infrequently deposits of infusorial earth and of 

 fine silt or clay are mistaken for marl, the usual occurrence of which is below swamp 



