REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 



155 



ANALYSES OP SOILS (air-dried). 



Moisture 



Organic and volatile matter. ... 



Insoluble mineral matter (clay and sand) 

 Mineral matter soluble in acid. 



Nitrogen 

 Lime .... 



No. 2. 



2-85 

 9-52 



75 15 

 12-48 



100 00 



•409 



Soil No. 1, is very poor, particularly in humus (semi-decomposed vegetable matter) 

 and in nitrogen. To furnish these constituents, barn-yard manure, a compost made with 

 swamp muck or a green crop (preferably clover or some other legume) turned under, are 

 to be recommended. 



Lime, in which this soil is deficient, may be applied as such in the form of marl or 

 gypsum. 



Wood ashes, supplying potash, lime and certain other constituents of plant food, 

 would undoubtedly give good returns on this soil. Superphosphate is perhaps the best 

 form for this soil in which to furnish phosphoric acid. 



Soil No. 2, is much better, as shown by the higher percentages of organic matter 

 and nitrogen. In general characteristics, however, it is similar to No. 1, and the treat- 

 ment above suggested would apply for this soil equally well. 



Lime may be applied every 5th year, or somewhat more frequently, at the rate of 

 40 bushels per acre. The usual dressing of gypsum is from 200 to 400 pounds per acre. 



Wood ashes give good returns in applications of 40 to 80 bushels per acre. Other 

 forms of potash are, kainit and muriate of potash ; of the former, 400 pounds and of the 

 latter, 100 pounds constitute the average amounts for an acre. 



Superphosphate at the rate of from 200 to 400 pounds per acre will be found useful 

 for the cereals, grass and turnips. 



Considerable experience, together with the knowledge of the special requirements 

 of the various farm crops, is necessary before the most economical amounts of these con- 

 centrated fertilizers can be applied. The above quantities are to be considered only as 

 suggesting the limits between which in ordinary farm practice most profitable returns 

 will be obtained. 



Soil forwarded for examination by J. 0. E. Forest, St. Jacques, Montcalm. A sandy 

 soil, analysis showing but a small percentage of clay. In appearance, it is a loam of 

 fair quality. 



ANALYSIS OP SOIL (air-dried). 



Moisture 2 • 60 



Organic and volatile matter 8 92 



Sand and clay 74 • 26 



Mineral matter, soluble in acid 14 22 



100 00 



Nitrogen '323 



Lime Very small quantity. 



