174 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



ANALYSIS OP AIR-DRIED " MUD," GASP6. 



Moisture 1-71 



Organic and volatile matter 8 35 



Mineral matter, insoluble in acid 80 • 25 



Mineral matter, soluble in acid 9 69 



100 00 



Nitrogen • 274 



This cannot be considered as a fertilizer of marked value, though on poor soils it 

 might prove useful as an amendment. Both in composition and appearance it is similar 

 to a light, though fairly good soil. 



No. 5. "mud" from near SUMMBRSIDB, P.E.L 



This sample was taken from the bed of a creek running through the farm of Wm. 

 Lefurgey, and is very similar to the mud, the particulars of which appear on page 193 

 of our 1896 report. The analytical data may be tabulated as follows : — 



ANALYSIS OP AIR-DRIED " MUD." 



Moisture 2*37 



Organic and volatile matter 9 • 30 



Mineral matter, insoluble in acid 65-70 



Mineral matter, soluble in acid 22 • 63 



100 00 



Lime -92 



Nitrogen -33 



This deposit though not profitable for composting with barn-yard manure, is undoubt- 

 edly of some value for supplying the elements of plant food. It might be dug in the 

 autumn and piled to dry. The winter frost will tend to disintegrate it, improving its 

 mechanical condition. It might then be composted with lime, which will serve to set 

 free its plant food ; or if wished, it may then be applied directly to the land, though 

 used in this way it is not so immediately effective. ■ 



MARL. 



This material is essentially carbonate of lime. The value of a sample depends 

 upon the percentage of this constituent ; marls in which the carbonate of lime is 

 associated with much clay or sand are of inferior quality. 



Marl occurs in various parts of the Dominion as an earthy gray or grayish-white 

 deposit ; it usually shows the presence of fresh water shells. Marl frequently underlies 

 a bed of peat or muck in a swamp or forms the bed of a dried-up lake. 



In districts where it is found, marl is the cheapest of all lime fertilizers. Marl, 

 not being of a caustic nature, is frequently known as " mild " lime. It is owing to this 

 characteristic that an excess of marl does not injure a soil, as frequently occurs from an 

 over application of lime. 



The following samples from different parts of Canada have been examined in our 

 laboratories : — 



British Columbia. — Sample from Stanley, Cariboo District : Yellowish white, very 

 porous and soft ; contains traces only of inert matter (clay and sand) and is practically 

 all carbonate of lime. It may be considered an excellent sample of marl. 



