REPORT OF THE GHEMIST. 175 



Ontario. — This sample, collected near London, consisted of lumps and powder of a 

 grayish-white colour, the lumps powdering under slight pressure. It contained a 

 large number of shells, indicating its origin as a fresh-water lake or pond deposit. 



ANALYSIS. 



Moisture '49 



Insoluble matter (clay and sand) -25 



Carbonate of lime 95-95 



Undetermined mineral matter and traces of organic matter. 3 '31 



100 00 



This is an excellent sample of marl, both as regards composition and texture. It 

 is practically free from inert foreign substances, and could be used with advantage on 

 all soils deficient in lime. 



Sample from Lot 34, Con. 4, Edwardsburg. Light-gray, flakey, light, easily crumbled, 

 contains shells. Insoluble matter probably in the neighbourhood of 10 per cent. This 

 may be regarded as a. very fair sample of marl. 



Quebec. — Sample from Metapedia. Grayish-white, easily crumbled and in excellent 

 mechanical condition ; contains some few shells. It is almost entirely soluble in hydro- 

 chloric acid, showing absence, or but traces only, of inert matter. A very good sample. 



Samples from township of New Richmond. No. 1. From a lake bed. Wet and 

 plastic when received. A small quantity of organic matter ; very little sand or clay. 



No. 2. Grayish-white, more inert matter than in preceding sample. A number of 

 fine roots and shells present. Of medium quality. 



Nova Scotia. — Sample from Antigonish. Of a dull reddish-gray colour. It has the 

 appearance of a semi-decomposed limestone and probably is not of the same immediate 

 benefit to land as shell marl. 



THE USES OP MARLw 



An application of marl has been found useful to all soils deficient in lime, and especi- 

 ally to such as are rich in humus, assisting greatly in the nitrification of this constituent. 



For correcting the acidity of soils, a property injurious to crop growth, marl is very 

 efiective. Recent experiments have shown that soil acidity is by no means rare, even 

 in sandy loams situated in upland districts. A dressing of lime or marl to such soils 

 has always resulted in increased crop yields. These materials have also proved useful 

 to old pastures and waste lands where sorrel and bracken have obtained a foothold. 



Though a less active agent than lime for liberating potash from its locked up stores 

 and for the amelioi*ation of he ivy clays, marl serves in bringing about these ends, and 

 can be used for such with safety, since an excess will not injure the soil. 



A further use of marl is in compost heaps containing vegetable and animal refuse, 

 swamp muck and other organic matter. It here promotes nitrification, providing condi- 

 tions of moisture and temperature are favourable, and thus assists in converting useless 

 nitrogen into valuable plant food. 



A chapter stating more fully the various agricultural uses of this naturally-occur- 

 ring fertilizer is to be found in the report of this division for 1894. 



LOBSTER REFUSE PROM THE CANNING FACTORIES. 



Several inquiries being received respecting the fertilizing value of this waste product, 

 and there being no data on record as to the composition of this material, it was deemed advis- 

 able to make an analysis and thus ascertain its agricultural worth. Through the kindness 

 of Professor E. E. Prince, Dominion Commissioner of Fisheries, two samples of the 

 refuse were obtained from a canning factory near Pictou, N.S. One of these consisted 



