REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 177 



LIME KILN ASHES. 



Several inquiries from the maritime provinces having been received respecting the 

 amounts of fertilizing constituents in lime kiln ashes, a sample obtained from Cape 

 Breton was submitted to analysis, with the following result : — 



ANALYSIS. 



Moisture 2-04 



Insoluble matter (clay and sand) 9 • 45 



Potash * 2 • 64 



Phosphoric acid 2*15 



Though not so rich in potash as wood ashes, it is evident" that this material has a 

 distinct fertilizing value. The phosphoric acid is approximately equal in amount to that 

 in wood ashes. 



It is to be supposed that much variation in the composition of diflferent samples will 

 occur, but there can be no doubt that well preserved ashes from the kiln contain notable 

 quantities of the more important mineral elements of plant food, Leaving out of con- 

 sideration the lime and other constituents of minor value, the ashes now examined 

 possess per ton, approximately 53 pounds potash and 43 pounds phosphoric acid. The 

 former may be valued at 5c. per pound, the latter at 3Jc. per pound. At these prices 

 the value per ton would bo in the neighbourhood of $4. It is to be remarked" that the 

 sample examined was very dry, a larger percentage of moisture present would necessarily 

 reduce the amount* of the other constituents. The average composition of seventeen 

 samples of lime kiln ashes as ascertained by Dr. Goessman, of Uie Experiment Station of 

 Massachusetts, U.S.A., is as follows : — 



Moisture 14*48 per cent. 



Potash 1-28 " 



Phosphoric acid 1-09 '* 



Lime 42 • 57 " 



FERTILIZING CONSTITUENTS IN PURSLANK 

 (Portulaca oleracea). 



This common pest in gardens is frequently known as " pusley." It delights in rich 

 soil, spreads rapidly and is exceedingly difficult to eradicate owing to its intense vitality. 

 This quality, as laboratory experiments showed, it possesses in a most remarkable 

 degree ; cuttings half an inch in length after being exposed for five weeks to the drying 

 atmosphere of the room, sprouted and grew readily on being placed in damp soil. 



To ascertain the extent to which this troublesome weed might exhaust the land of 

 its plant food, the following investigation was made. The plants from an area of 4 ft. by 

 10 ft. were collected by Mr. Craig, the horticulturist, and found to weigh 28 pounds. 

 This would be equivalent to a crop of 15 tons 492 pounds per acre. Mr. Craig adds " the 

 plants are about half grown (2nd August), but they nevertheless cover the ground with 

 a fairly heavy and close 'mat' of vegetation." 



On analysis, we found the green, fresh material to have the following composition : — 



ANALYSIS OP PURSLANE, CUT 2nD AUGUST, 1896. 



Moisture 93 • 54 



Organic matter 4 " 82 



Ash and mineral matter 1 • 64 



100-00 

 -12 



