FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



389 



CirEAIICAI; ANALYSIS OF SOILS. 



"When cliemistry was first applied to tlie pvobleuis of agriculture, it was sup- 

 posed that the greatest benefit which chemistry could impart to agriculture was 

 to be derived frotn the analysis of the soil. It was supposed that the fertility 

 of anv soil, tlic kind of crop it was fitted to raise, or the material which must 

 be added to the soil to develop its greatest productiveness, were each and all to 

 be determined simply by a chemical analysis of the soil. These extravagant 

 anticipations have not been realized. It is found that chemical analysis will 

 not always distinguisli between a fruitful and an unfruitful soil; because a soil 

 may be unproductive for physical reasons, though it may still contain all the 

 chemical elements of fertility. The utter break-down of Lieblg's mineral 

 theory of manures when put to the test of experience rang the knell of mere 

 soil analysis. 



But if chemical analysis failed when so much was demanded of it, we are 

 not to go to the other extreme and conclude that because it is not good for 

 everything it is good for nothing. Chemical analysis of the soil is of value in 

 determining wlicther a soil is capable of fertility, or the contrary; also in 

 determining the degree of its possible fertility. There are certain ash ele- 

 ments which are absolutely necessary for plant growth. In the absence of any 

 one of these, vegetable growth is impossible; if the supply is relatively limited, 

 plant growth will be limited correspondingly. If all the ash elements are 

 present in sutHcient amount and in available form, such soil is capable of fer- 

 tility. Hence the chemical analysis of a soil is of importance in determining 

 the possibility of fertility and of the relative fertility which may be secured 

 under favorable conditions. 



Having thus put you upon your guard against overestimating the importance 

 of chemical analysis of soils, I present the results of analysis of thirty-one 

 soils of Michigan. Below each analysis will be found a separate line giving 

 the total ash elements in one hundred parts of the soil : 



MICHIGAN SOILS, AND THE RESULTS OF THEIR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS 



No. 1.— RivKR Raisin BottOiAis. 



Deerfleld, Lenawee Co. 



Selected by Geo. H. Kedzie. 



Timber: ash, lynn, hickory, black wal- 

 nut, oak, etc. 



Soil cultivated for 40 years without 

 manure. 



Sand and Silica 58.17 



Alumina 6.48 



Oxide of Iron 7.G2 



Lime 1.98 



Magnesia 1.43 



Potash 1 .84 



Soda 1.20 



Sulphuric Acid 32 



Phosphoric Acid 40 



Organic matter containing 



.42 Nitrogen 10.97 



Water 9.45 



Total Ash-food 7.17 



Capacity for water C5.G0 



No. 2.— River Raisin Bottoms. 



Deerfield, Lenaw'ee Co. 

 Selected by Geo. II. Kedzie. 



Total Ash-food 7.58 



Capacity for water 61.20 



No. 3.— Bukr-Oak Wheat Lands. 



Saline, Washtenaw Co. 



Selected by J. S. Wood. 



Timber: burr-oak. 



Sand and Silica 81.00 



Alumina 5.23 



Oxide of Iron 4.66 



Lime 1.28- 



