170 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



When we remember that care and judgment were exercised in the selection and 

 collection of these samples, that the analyses were carefully conducted according to 

 modern and approved methods, that very few of the samples fall below the 

 standards or limits fixed by agricultural chemists, and that many contained such ample 

 stores of plant food as to warrant them in being classed among the most fertile soils, 

 we may, I think, safely conclude that the data here set forth clearly indicate that while 

 there are many types of soils represented in Canada, there are in all her provinces large 

 tracts of land that, as far as plant food is concerned, compare favourably with the most 

 productive of other countries. 



Canada is fast becoming known in the markets of the world as a food-producing 

 country. Soil rich in plant food and favourable climatic influences are the chief factors 

 that have assisted the Canadian agriculturist in building up this reputation. These 

 are the factors, together with intelligent, rational methods of farming, and safe and 

 cheap means of transportation, that will continue to make agriculture here a prosperous 

 industry. It is therefore gratifying to know that ample scientific proof is now on record 

 to show that in our virgin soils there is such an abundance of those crude materials 

 which crops draw upon directly, and farm animals indirectly, for their sustenance and 

 growth. 



NATURALLY-OCCURRING FERTILIZERS. 



SWAMP MUCK. 



"We have so fully discussed in previous reports the agricultural u^es of this 

 naturally-occurring fertilizer that it wUl only be necessary on the present occasion to 

 record the analytical data obtained on the samples examined during the past year, and 

 briefly indicate their quality. 



Analyses of Swamp Muck (air dried) 1897. 



^ 



Locality. 



ChiUiwaok, B. C 



Albemi, Vancouver I'd, B.C. 



Loch Garry, Ont 



Near London, Ont 



St. Williams, Ont 



Aitken's Ferry, P.E.I 



Egmont Bay, P.E.I 



Sender. 



G. M. Stuart.... 

 Albert E. Reeve, 



J. Fraser 



G. P. CoUyer. . . . 

 Andrew McCall. 



D. J. Stewart. . . 



E. Arsenault . . . . 



Nitrogen. 



n 

 o 



•946 

 2-470 

 1027 

 1-767 



•933 

 1-010 



2-54 



1-45 

 1-515 



0) ' 



O cSo 



o -^^ 



18 

 49 

 20 

 35 

 IS 

 2 

 50 

 29 

 30 



•9 

 ■4 



5 

 -3 

 •6 

 -0 

 -8 





 -30 



o 

 > 



S 

 =« u 



o 



70 

 71 

 32 

 67 

 71 

 31 

 67 

 43 

 71 



-31 

 -77 

 -24 

 •04 

 •64 

 -93 

 -89 

 ■30 

 •43 



^ 



a 



c3 



03 

 02 



11 



36 

 13 



5 

 55 



9 



40 

 12 



•24 

 -43 

 15 

 18 

 -76 

 ■90 

 ■91 

 -50 

 -61 



e * 



U 9 



S3 



7 



10 



21 



9 



9 



6 



10 



9 



12 



90 

 21 

 25 

 07 

 83 

 65 

 36 

 78 

 61 



Water. 



10 

 17 

 10 

 10 

 12 



5 

 11 



6 

 15 



■56 

 ■59 

 -36 

 ■71 

 •77 

 •52 

 •84 

 ■42 

 •96 



No. 1. A sample representative of an area of considerable size near Chilliwack, 

 covered with peat or muck. It is of excellent quality, but at present rather sour, due 

 to lack of lime and want of drainage. Owing to the small quantities of clay and sand 



