Lysimeter Experiments 



51 



The great loss of magnesium in the drainage water is apparently due 

 in large measure to the solvent action of the nitric acid formed in and 

 leached from that soil in large quantities. 



Not only is the total removal of magnesium by the drainage water 

 of the unplanted soil greater than that from the planted soil, but its 

 concentration is greater in the water from the unplanted tanks, as may 

 be seen from table 33: 



TABLE 33. Average Magnesium Content of Drainage Water from Planted and 



FROM Unplanted Tanks 



Tanks 



Soil 

 treatment 



Magnesium 



(parts 

 per million) 



3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10. 



4,8 



10.5 

 12.7 



Effect of lime on removal of magnesium 



While the application of l^urnt lime to this soil did not result in an 

 increase in the quantity of calcium contained in the drainage water, 

 it did increase the magnesium, as is shown in table 34: 



TABLE 34. Average Annual Removal of Magnesium from Limed and from 



Unlimed Tanks 



There would appear to be a basic exchange resulting from the appU- 

 cation of lime, by which magnesium was liberated and dissolved by the 

 soil water. The crop on the limed soil, being somewhat smaller than 

 that on the unlimed soil, utilized less of the magnesium. 



SI 



