72 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



Potash : — By the spectroscope, traces of potash were plainly discernahle. With 

 the usual reagent (platinic chloride) only a very faint precipitation was obtained 

 when working on an acid solution from 10 grams of the sand. 



' No. 2. Sample of peaty soil from surface underlaid by sand in central part of is- 

 land l£ miles east of residence of Superintendent where a large block of trees has been 

 planted, locality known as Gourdeau Park, layer 3 to 4 inches thick. 



'Analysis of (air-dried) peaty soil: — 



p. c. 



'Moisture 4-87 



' Organic matter 22 -22 



' Mineral matter practically sand 72 - 91 



100 

 ' Nitrogen in organic matter *878 



' No. 3. Representative sample of peaty soil covering a large area some distance 

 east of where No. 2 was taken, from 3 to 4 inches deep, and underlaid by sand. Weight 

 6oil, air-dried, 3 pounds 12£ ounces, containing 5£ ounces fibre. 



' Analysis of (air-dried) peaty soil : — 



p. c. 



' Moisture .' 1 '48 



' Organic matter 8 '63 



' Mineral matter practically sand 89-89 



100 

 ' Nitrogen in organic matter '271 



' No. 4. Sample from a large lump of peaty soil found on the beach on the south 

 shore, being washed by the sea. It contains a considerable amount of semi-decayed 

 eel grass Zostera maritima. Weight of soil, air-dried, 1 pound 5 ounces, containing 

 1\ ounces fibre, principally eel grass. 



' Analysis of (air-dried) peaty soil : — 



p. c. 



' Moisture 3-00 



' Organic matter 9 "50 



' Mineral matter practically sand 87 "50 



100 

 ' Nitrogen in organic matte:- *2G7 



■o< 



' The above three samples are similar in character, and no doubt also as to origin. 

 They may be considered as semi-decayed vegetable matter (largely fibrous) and sand, 

 and practically the only point of difference between them lies in the varying propor- 

 tions of these two constituents. In the air-dried condition the sand can be very easily 

 separated from the organic matter by shaking and sifting, showing that there is no 

 intimate incorporation ©f these constituents as in the case of true soils. 



' The plant food they contain other than nitrogen is present in very small amounts, 

 and we must suppose exists in such a condition that it is only slowly set free for plant 

 use. 



