180 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OP AGRICULTUIIE. 



In regard to the analysis, Nos. 2553-2556, taken from tlio south 

 field at different corners of the plot, the three samples, A 1, 2, and 4, 

 contained practically the same amount of coarse sand and gravel, Avbilst 

 A 3 has about 10 per cent. less. All four samples show that the soil is 

 deficient in phosphoric acid and lime, and probably would be much 

 benefited by the use of a lime phosphate or similar lertilizer; its con- 

 tents of other soil constituents are ample for fertility. 



The samples Nos. 2557-2559, taken from the north field, show that 

 this soil is likewise deficient in phosphoric acid, but is richer in its con-' 

 tents of lime and nitrogen and in other constituents similar to that 

 of the south field. The amount of gravel aloo varies in the different 

 samples. 



The two samples, Nos. 2560 and 2561, taken from Hart'a-field, differ in 

 their content of coarse gravel, but contain an abundance of phosphoric 

 acid and other soil constituents. 



For the purpose of comparing soils on which such sugar-i)roduciDg 

 plants as sorghum and sugar beet have been grown, the analyses made 

 by Mr. Clifford Eichardson, in 1882 and 1883, may be referred to.* 



SOILS FROM RAPIDES PARISH, LOUISIANA. 



2574-2577. Soils from the cotton plantation of F. Seip, situated on 

 Bayou Eapides, near Alexandria, Eapides Parish, Louisiana: 



All of those four samples woro taken from tbo samo plantation, and their differences 

 simply arise from the greater or less distance from the Tvater-course in -which the 

 plantation lies ; near the stream the soil is lighter or sandier ; as it recedes it becomes 

 heavier, tmtil finally the red clay soil is reached. The land is a part of -what is 

 known as the " bottom " or alluvial lands of the Red River Valley. These lands are 

 level, having but a slight elevation above tide water, and in their native state cov- 

 ered by a growth of heavy timber or forest. They lie near the Red River, and are 

 drained by smaller streams or bayous running into the Red.' The principal timber 

 growth is sweet gum, various kinds of oak, ash, hackberry, sycamore, elm, mulberry, 

 pecan, cottonwood, &c. Trees are often from 3 to 6 feet in diameter, and a height of 

 75 feet is not uncommon. Some of the land has been recently cleared, whilst other 

 parts have been for many (seventy or more) years in cultivation. 



The samples were, in every instance, taken to a depth of 6 inches and 6 inches 

 square, or as near that as practicable. The character of the soil for some 10 feet or 

 more is principally a rod clay, with an occasional mixture of clay and sand. The sur- 

 face for a few inches is a black mold, arising from, the decay of vegetable matter, the 

 leaves of the forest, &c. Beneath the red clay is generally found- a blue or grayish 

 clay. 



The crops gTOwn consist of com and cotton, the latter principally. The yield 

 would average in the past five years 250 pounds of lint cotton per acre; under favor- 

 able conditions of weather and good culture, 500 pounds and over were obtaiued. 

 Corn would average about 25 to 30 bushels per acre. No manure was used. 



2574. This sample was taken from a "field of some 8 or 10 acres but 

 one year cleared, the remainder, 300 acres in extent, being heavily tim- 

 bered, but of a similar formation." 



2575. This soil has been twenty years in cultivation and proved very 

 fv-rtile, and is a sami)le of medium or " chocolate" land. 



257(i. This soil has been longer in cultivation than either of the two 

 preceding, viz, thirty years, and is a specimen of the fertile red clay. 



2577. This is a sample of the front and sandy alluvial landjs, and has 

 been fifty years in cultivation, iDroducing a somewhat smaller crop than 

 JTo. 2575. 



2579-2580. Soils from Mrs. "William Waters, samples collected by Mr. 

 H. B. Cummings, Alexandria, La. , 



* Investigations of Sorghum as a Sugar-producing Plant ; season of 1882. Special 

 report, pp. 56-64. 



