BY E. H. GURNEY, 



11 



ence goes as high as over six to one ; and that in the latter 

 cases, the nitrogen- percentage in arid humus considerably 

 exceeds that of the albumenoid group, the flesh- forming 

 substances. 



" It thus becomes intelligible that in the arid region a 

 humus percentage which under humid conditions would 

 justly be considered entirely inadequate for the success of 

 normal crops, may nevertheless suffice even for the more 

 exacting ones." 



In a very large number of the Queensland soils pre- 

 viously referred to, the humus has been determined, and the 

 results, detailed in the same way as the lime content, are 

 given below. 



The lowest humus content reported was 0.11 per cent, 

 in a sand soil and the highest content 10.62 per cent, in a 

 red sandy loam — virgin scrub soil. 



In connection A^th these soils it is convenient to record 

 here the extreme range of figures obtained for •' loss-on- 

 ignition," viz., 0.71 percent, (including 0.33 per cent, humus) 

 in a red sand with neutral reaction to litmus paper, and 

 20.98 per cent, (including 0.88 per cent, humus) in a strongly 

 alkaline, black sandy loam. Another high figure for " loss- 

 on-ignition " 20.88 per cent, (including 2.58 per cent, 

 humus) was obtained in an acid red volcanic loam. 



Referring now to the total Nitrogen content of these 

 soils and arranging the figures as above, the- following 

 results are obtained : — 



