MUSKEG SOIL. 237 
22 to 48 per cent. Since humus represents the vegetable 
substances more thoroughly decayed, it is readily under- 
stood why more humus is found in samples 6, 7 and 8 than 
in 1, 3 and 4. The vegetable matter in the thoroughly 
drained and cultivated soils is more completely decayed. 
The amount of mineral matter in all of the soils with the 
exception of 9 and 10 is small. When the soils were burned, 
a fine grey ash-like residue was obtained. This mineral 
matter contained quite a large amount of sulphur due un- 
doubtedly to the sulphur being in chemical combination and 
forming a part of the organic matter. The nitrogen and 
sulphur content of the soil would indicate that a large 
portion of the nitrogen was in forms allied to complex pro- 
teids. The amounts of iron and aluminia in these soils are 
small. The vegetable matter contained an appreciable but 
variable amount of phosphoric acid and also a fair amount 
of both potash and lime. 
These soils are, as indicated by the analyses, entirely 
different in chemical composition from ordinary arable soils. 
The principal change which they undergo while being brought 
under cultivation is decay of the vegetable matter followed 
by a corresponding decrease in acidity. As to whether these 
soils are suitable for grass lands must be decided largely by 
local conditions, considering principally drainage and ex- 
pense involved in bringing the soils into condition to pro- 
duce hay. Soils as No. 7,contain a large amount of nitro- 
gen and a fair amount of potash and lime. When brought 
under cultivation such soils are generally found to be the 
most suitable for the production of hay. Applications of 
wood ashes, lime or marl would undoubtedly prove bene- 
ficial on these soils in neutralizing the organic (vegetable) 
acids, and supplying active alkaline matters which appear 
to be deficient. 
