REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 173 



This soil or " mud " is from an area of 400 acres covered with a tidal deposit. At 

 high tide it is overflowed by the waters of the Bay of Fundy. The marsh ha^s never 

 been properly dyked and is not under cultivation. 



ANALYSIS OP AIR-DRIED " MUD," ST, MARTINS, N.B. 



Moisture , 7'66 



Organic and volatile matter 761 



Insoluble mineral matter (clay and sand) 7196 



Mineral matter, soluble in acid 12 • 77 



100-00 



Lime "42 



Nitrogen -281 



Common salt 1 ■ 4 



There is nothing in the results against the prediction that if properly drained and 

 treated this would make a fertile soil. 



Considering that it is not yet drained, its tilth or physical condition may be judged 

 as good. It contains fair amounts of organic matter and nitrogen. The percentage of 

 salt is high, too high for the best results with farm crops, but the excess could be easily 

 removed by drainage, which would at the same time sweeten and aerate the soil. 



An application of lime, say 40 to 60 bushels per acre, would, in all probability, 

 greatly increase this soil's productiveness. 



No. 3. " MUD " FROM NEAR VANCOUVER, B.C. 



The correspondent forwarding the sample writes as follows : — 

 " The sample was taken from beneath a slaughter-house built on piles close to the 

 salt water where a number of pigs are kept, the urine and dung flow through the floor- 

 ing, but being covered and laid bare by every tide, I am doubtful as to whether there 

 would be any fertility left." 



Our data are as follows : — 



ANALYSIS OP AIR-DRIED "MUD," VANCOUVER, B.C. 



Moisture 4-25 



Organic and volatile matter 1 7 • 45 



Mineral matter, insoluble in acid 63-33 



Mineral matter, soluble in acid 14-97 



100 00 



Nitrogen • 548 



This material has undoubtedly a fertilizing value, though it cannot be regarded as 

 the equal of barn-yard manure. The percentage of nitrogen is very similar to that in 

 fresh manure, but the greater part of it judging from the appearance of the material is 

 in an unavailable condition. 



No. 4. " MUD " FROM BARACHOIS DE MALBAIE, GASP^!, QUEBEC. 



This was obtained from the bed of a brook running into Barachois Bay, being for- 

 warded by Rev. P. F. Sirois. It contained a large quantity of sand and a considerable 

 amount of orgamic matter. 



