The Chemical Analysis of Soil 719 



unreliability of samples 



1. A very small amount of soil, only a fraction of an ounce, is used in 

 chemical analysis. It is therefore of the greatest importance that samples 

 for analysis be taken with the very greatest care in order that they fairly 

 represent the field or farm. Samples taken by an inexperienced person are 

 very unlikely to he J airly representative. 



2. Samples for analysis should be taken by a person who is experienced 

 in collecting such material and who knows the physical characteristics 

 of the land. The geology of the region, the physical characters of the 

 soil, the topography, the vegetation, the drainage conditions, and the past 

 treatment with respect to crops, tillage, and manures, all determine the 

 reliability of samples. 



THE LIMITED FACILITIES OF THE COLLEGE LABORATORIES 



1. The cost of making a chemical analysis of a soil is large in time, 

 in materials, and in equipment. To make a com^plete analysis requires 

 a highly trained chemist working for about ten days. A complete deter- 

 mination on one sample alone will therefore cost $20 to $50, according to 

 the number run at one time. 



2. The funds of the College for this purpose are very much limited, 

 owing to the many other lines of work that are being conducted. 



3. Such funds as are available for the analysis of soils are beHeved to 

 be best expended in systematic investigation of the chemical character- 

 istics of samples of soil carefully selected by our agents, so that they are 

 fairly representative of large areas, in order that the results may be of 

 the widest application. The supplementary data are collected in the same 

 careful manner. This investigation of the chemical character of the soil 

 is part of a general investigation now in progress, of the properties and the 

 methods of handling the soils of the State. 



Suggestions. — In considering the improvement of any piece of land, 

 the following factors should receive attention and must he properly adjusted 

 before either the natural store of food in the soil or the food added in 

 fertilizers is most readily available to crops: 



(a) The moisture supply. — On a large part of the land in New York this 

 means some drainage — underdrainage by means of tile. It generally 

 means careful surface tillage to hold and conserve moisture, and on very 

 light gravelly soil it may mean irrigation. 



(b) Lime. — For the majority of crops, and especially for the common 

 legumes (clover and alfalfa), a sweet soil is necessary. Lime is used to 

 bring about this condition and is most likely to be needed on land long 

 cultivated. When clover and blue grass do not thrive, while sorrel and 

 daisy are common, there is strong evidence of the need of lime. 



