14 



Chemical Analysis. 



(Soil pasasd through 3 m.m. Sieve dried at 100° C.) 



lusoluble Matter ... 18.170 



Soluble in Hydr.. chloric Acid 81.830 



f Potash .. 172 



I Lime ... 0.254 



^ Phos horic Acid 0.393 



I Car onic Acid as ) . ^ .p.. 



(^Carbonate of Lime J 



Combined Wa tr and organic matt r 25.340 



Humus ( oluble in Ammonia) 3 . 625 



Nitrogen ... 0.130 



Hygrosco ic Moisture 5.660 



Fertlity Analysis. 



Per Cent. 



Available Potash •>. . Oil 



Available Phosphoric Acid u.007 



Observations. 



This is a specimen of the red soils derived from the limestone found 

 in this district and bears oat the fact that such soils are singularly- 

 destitute of carbonate of lime. In this case the amount is probably 

 adequate for cultural needs. 



The total phosphoric acid is high, the available being below par. 

 The potash is not high. The humus and nitrogen appear to be nor- 

 mal for a good soil. It would seem that this soil should respond to a 

 phosphatic manure, either Basic Slag or preferably a mixture of super- 

 phosphate and steamed bone flour. The soil is light and free- drain- 

 ing. It is possible that the large amount of ferric iron in the soil may 

 affect not only the nutrition of plants but also the results of the 

 manures applied. 



IV. ST. THOMAS-IN-THE-EAST. 



The following analyses of soils from St. Thomas upon which bananas 

 are grown are here presented. As will be seen, these soils are light 

 medium loams of hi»h fertility. The potash appears deficient in 

 one case otherwise each of these soils is beyond reproach in all the ele- 

 ments of fertility. With a liberal rainfall no irrigation is necessary. 

 Hurricanes, which are peculiarly destructive in this part of the island, 

 have played sad havoc in past seasons, but during the past year the 

 .banana growers of St. Thomas have obtained splendid results. 



