142 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



A mechanical separation of the clay and sand showed that No. 1 contained 62*70 

 per cent, and No. 2, 70 -00 per cent, coarse sand. They are, therefore, to be considered 

 essentially as sandy loams. 



Judged from the chemical standpoint, No. 2 is the better soil, being richer in 

 organic matter and nitrogen, in addition to showing somewhat larger percentages 

 of lime, potash and phosphoric acid, more especially in the available condition. The 

 reason for the better quality may, perhaps, be found in the well known fact that land 

 under active cultivation loses in fertility much quicker than that in sod — indeed, the 

 latter if pastured, will improve, more particularly in available constituents. 



No. 1. The data indicate that as regards mineral constituents this soil is below 

 the average of fairly fertile soils, and that for most crops the application of a ferti- 

 lizer containing all three elements — potash, phosphoric acid and lirne — would prove 

 beneficial. The soil has a distinctly acid reaction, due, no doubt, in large part to 

 deficiency in lime, and, therefore, wood ashes or Thomas' slag and a potash salt are 

 suggested as fertilizers. 



No. 2. This soil is of fair average quality and should give good returns. It could, 

 however, be improved by treatment such as suggested in the preceding paragraph. 



Speaking generally of such soils, we should say that being somewhat sour and 

 naturally deficient in lime, an application of lime — or, better still, a fertilizer fur- 

 nishing not only lime, but also phosphoric acid and potash — would be advantageous. 

 As a source of phosphoric acid, Thomas' or basic slag could be advised. 



Further, to improve tilth and absorptive capacity for moisture, both soils, but 

 especially No. 1, would be the better for an organic manure, and especially one which 

 would at the same time increase the store of nitrogen. The growth and turning 

 under of clover furnishes an economical means to that end. 



NOVA SCOTIA. 



Marsh Soils from the Bay of Fundy. — Among the most valuable and fertile soils 

 of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are the reclaimed salt marsh lands which border 

 on the Bay of Fundy. Many of these have produced, for a long term of years, without 

 the application of any manure, remunerative yields of hay, and consequently are soils 

 justly esteemed in the maritime provinces as of the highest agricultural importance. 

 Besides their suitability for the raising of hay, many, no doubt, by reason of their 

 composition and texture, are capable of giving profitable returns in ordinary field and 

 market garden crops. 



The salt marsh areas, before being dyked and drained, may present one of several 

 aspects. Frequently they appear as bare deposits of tidal mud, the depth of which 

 may be many or only a few feet. This is generally full of the undecomposed remains 

 of eel grass (zostera marina), a plant of little direct agricultural value, but of the 

 greatest service in the formation of these marshes, and in supplying their soils with 

 organic matter. At other places, these marshes are found covered with a thick, 

 matted sod resulting from the growth of salt grasses that followed the eel grass and 

 overlying the tidal deposit. 



Dyking to keep out the sea-water, and thorough drainage to remove the salt and 

 excess of water, are the two initial processes necessary towards reclamation. Once 

 these are effectively accomplished, the land is easily brought into cultivation, and 

 is found, as already stated, to be most productive. It is the practice of some farmers 

 to occasionally let in the tide for a short period, so that the soil may be recovered 

 for a time. This plan, though it rejuvenates the soil, necessitates the lapse of a year 

 or two, to allow the washing out and carrying away of the salt with which the sea 

 water has impregnated the land. Marshes from which the salt has not been removed 

 will not grow timothy, and the quality of the salt grasses produced is of a decidedly 

 inferior character. 



