146 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



improve its mechanical condition. Were we asked to make suggestions regarding the 

 nature of the manures to be used we should advise, since it is hay land, the sowing of 

 clover from time to time, which would enrich the soil in humus and nitrogen, and a 

 dressing of bone meal 200 pounds, superphosphate 100 pounds, and muriate of potash 

 75 pounds, these quantities being for one acre. It is quite probable that a simple 

 dressing of lime, 20 to 40 bushels per acre, might much increase the yield. 



No. 2. Though in many features this soil is similar to No. 1, there are certain 

 data which show it to be richer in plant food. Thus, in nitrogen and organic matter, 

 the percentages are almost double those in No. 1. It is also much richer in total and 

 available potash. The phosphoric acid, however, present in the available condition i3 

 considerably less than in the preceding sample. 



With better drainage, through aeration, and good culture, this soil should give 

 returns equally as good as those from No. 1. There is no evidence of any particular 

 want of plant food or of the presence of any deleterious compounds, save those which 

 naturally form in a water-logged soil from which the air is excluded. 



We are of the opinion that in addition to drainage and aeration, an application of 

 lime would prove of benefit, sweetening the soil and converting the poisonous iron 

 compounds, formed by the causes mentioned in the preceding paragraph, into innocu- 

 ous forms. 



The comparatively speaking large amount of salt present strongly indicates poor 

 drainage, and serves to support the view taken that the requirements of this soil are 

 mechanical rather than chemical. 



No. 3. This sample is of particular interest as furnishing data regarding the com- 

 position of the tidal deposit as laid down. It seems to contain both mineral and or- 

 ganic constituents in very fair quantities, and gives evidence of possessing all the 

 requisites for forming a good arable soil under suitable treatment. 



On comparing the amounts of the organic matter and nitrogen of freshly deposit- 

 ed marsh with those of old marsh soil (No. 1), it will be observed that the latter is 

 somewhat the richer in these constituents. This agrees with the generally accepted 

 view, that in soils under sod continuously the percentages of humus and nitrogen tend 

 to increase. 



The percentage of lime is nearly three times that in soils Nos. 1 and 2, and seems 

 to indicate that the ' mud ' as deposited is richer in this element than the marsh lands 

 are after years of cultivation. If this is the case, an explanation is furnished in the 

 fact that a considerable quantity is annually withdrawn by the crop. We, further, 

 are aware that lime has a tendency to ' work down ' into the subsoil. This soil, it will 

 be noticed, is the only one of the series that does not show acidity, a very significant 

 fact. 



The amount of salt, as might be expected, is very high. That, however, it can be 

 readily removed through drainage has been already shown. 



No. 4. While the percentages of plant food, with the exception of potash, are not 

 equal to those of many soils of good average fertility, there are no undesirable features 

 save the ' sourness ' of the soil and its very bad mechanical condition, both of which 

 are capable of removal or improvement by drainage, aeration and the application of 

 lime. Its chief deficiencies, if such they may be called, are nitrogen and phosphoric 

 acid. 



The necessity for better drainage is emphasized by the amount of salt present, 

 nearly 1 per cent. 



No. 5. From the position of this sample, it must be regarded as of the nature of a 

 eubsoil, and consequently its very small percentages of nitrogen and organic matter 

 are not to be considered as abnormal. This sample presents many similarities to the 

 other soils of this series, though there are notable differences between this and the four 

 preceding soils in the much smaller percentage of oxide of iron it possesses. 



