Representative Transvaal Soils. 



723 



Chemical Composition. — To illustrate the chemical composition 

 of the Koedoespoort loam, the following analj'ses of samples from 

 various parts of the Transvaal are quoted : — 



Chemically these soils are characterized by a high percentage 

 of iron oxide and alumina, the ferric oxide usually being in excess 

 as shown by the following : — 



No. 1935. 



Ferric oxide. 

 Alumina 



per ceut. 

 10-16 

 13-82 



No. 1977. 



per cent. 

 18-59 

 10-06 



No. 2034. 



per cent. 

 18-99 

 13-67 



while a comparatively large proportion of this ferric oxide is present 

 in a very finely divided state; an inadequate amount of lime, reason- 

 able percentages of potash (including "available" potash) and 

 nitrogen, and a great deficiency in phosphoric oxide, and particularly 

 in available phosplioric oxide. 



A large proportion of the phosphoric oxide in these soils is locked 

 up in the larger particles, as the following figures show : — 



No. 1977. 



No. 2039. 



Fine gravel ... 

 Phosphoric oxide 

 Phosphoric oxide in fine 



'•ravel 



per cent. 

 8-80 

 0-04 

 0-014 



per cent. 



10-80 

 0-06 

 0-015 



