172 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



Nos. 1 and 2. "Mud" or soil from a large, unreclaimed marsh near Nappan, N.S., 

 sent by Wm. Blair. 



ANALYSIS OP AIR-DRIED " MUD," NAPPAN, N.S. 



Water 



Loss on ignition, chiefly organic matter 



Mineral matter, insoluble in acid 



Mineral matter, soluble in acid 



Nitrogen 



Coarse sand .... 

 Clay and fine sand 



»No. 1. 



2 16 



412 



79-24 



14-48 



100-00 



•137 

 37-95 

 41-29 



tNo. 2. 



3-78 



5-86 



75-33 



13 04 



100 00 



-136 

 16-60 

 58-73 



* No. 1, 4 feet below surface. f No. 2, 1 foot below surface. 



When received, the samples were in a plastic, pasty, compact condition of a grayish 

 colour and were slightly acid to litmus paper. On drying a portion at 212 degrees Fah., 

 is was found that No. 1 contained 30"5 per cent of water. No. 2 contained 36-0 per cent 

 of water. Root fibres -were to be noticed in both samples, but curiously enough were in 

 greater abundance in sample No. 1. 



On allowing to dry spontaneously in the air, both soils became hard and somewhat 

 difficult to break with the fingers. 



Save in the relative proportion of sand and clay, there would not appear to be any 

 marked difierences in these two samples, and it may be fairly assumed that there is a 

 great degree of uniformity in the character of the soil — at all events to the depth of four 

 feet. 



The analytical data, as far as they are complete, would go to show a strong simil- 

 arity in composition between these samples and other specimens of marsh mud from the 

 Bay of Fundy that we have previously examined in our laboratories. The percentages 

 of organic matter and nitrogen now found are somewhat below the averages obtained 

 from the samples just referred to, but nevertheless, they are quite equal to those found 

 in many fertile soils. A comparison of the figures will make apparent a fact worthy of 

 note, viz. : that the amount of nitrogen is the same in both samples. This would lead 

 us to conclude that the percentage of this element remains constant to a depth of at 

 least four feet. As nitrogen is one of the essential elements of fertility, and at the 

 same time one of the most costly when purchased in commercial fertilizers, this feature 

 is necessarily one of great importance. 



The percentage of lime, as judged from a qualitative examination, is not large, 

 probably about '5 per cent or somewhat under. 



Reviewing the facts, we conclude there is no reason to suppose that this soil, if 

 thoroughly drained and properly worked, would fall behind in fertility any of the dyked 

 lands of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick that have originally been formed by tidal 

 deposits. 



In conclusion it may be pointed out that drainage is necessary to bring about a 

 better mechanical condition and also to ensure aeration of the soil. Aeration would 

 correct the slight sourness that now exists and convert any soluble iron compounds into 

 insoluble and innocuous forms — a desirable end to be attained in marsh muds. Drain- 

 age would also free the soil of the small quantity of common salt it contains. 



No. 2. Marsh mud from an unreclaimed marsh at St. Martin's, St. John Co., 

 N.B., forwarded by Mr. Howard Trueman, Pointe de Bute, N. B. 



