140 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
the samples for examination. In no case have any proved of value as. 
fertilizers from the presence, in appreciable quantity, of either phosphates 
or potash. 
The samples have proved generally to be mainly calcareous, resulting 
from shells more or less finely divided; and in some cases it has been 
advised to test the marls by applying them for experiment as a top 
dressing to certain lands. r 
Silicious marls. 
Two specimens proved to be very good kaolins, and if present in quan- h 
tity may prove valuable deposits. 
The analysis of one of these two samples'is given below, this specimen 
having been received from E. R. True, of this city: 
Per cent. 
“AVOLTESTE 3s cphgi A Se ge SOR a ae te oD sa re Mure alan edicts a aon wep Re ti 3. 85 
PC eee ees. cee oeeeoaes ea ee See et EE Rit SP a Se 72.70 
AUBIN Bete = on eae Sk ec soiws wees Sos os ee a Ee) ea ee 
liner Chali lh ans; nen pee ewe eee ke ee eT eee 4. 37 
ROOD 2 os i ow ace ae nap enn h eee cae ea ee 27 
LITO AS pee ae ts Ae PLEAS bal ONS Mah ty Be we 9 Det Tye a none 
101. 55 
Gypsum marl. 
A sample of marl, said to exist in very great quantity and readily 
* accessible on the shores of Lake Jessup, Florida, gave upon analysis ° ) 
the following : 
Per cent. 
Maier and organic matier.222) 225.2 is sence badd eee 6. 36 
DANOANGCIAY cocaas 5. secu ce etc soee chescnecteke see bee eee 68. 94 
eyes. (CasO,, 2 H,0) coves ce ce cuca cticcccd eeenep eee 13.79 : 
meneatione (CaCO;) is... 2 =. Ecce cone isbac <5 monn Deen ee eee ee BRIE : 
ironeand alnmininim OX1des.>- co tose coca ee one Cee eee ee eee 7.14 
RIM BUOTIC SIG 220s dk ou ie nc oc od SaGs hece Dal ee ee Traces. 
100. 00 
The. crystals of gypsum are easily discernible to the eye, and the 
large percentage of this fertilizer makes this deposit of very great value 
to the farming interests of that section. 
ANALYSES OF LEACHED WOOD AND COAL ASHES. 
Two specimens of ashes have been analyzed—the one obtained from the 
leached chips of logwood used as fuel, and the other from Cumberland coal. 
In neither of the above was there found-an appreciable quantity of 
potash, and only .39 per cent. of insoluble phosphoric acid in the coal 
ashes, and the fertilizing vaiue which was ascribed to each of these 
by those requesting analysis, was doubtless due to their mechanical effect 
upon the soil. , 
BAT GUANOS AND CAVE EARTHS. 
The deposits of bat guanos appear to have been pretty thoroughly 
explored,’and there have been received during the past year but four 
samples, and these from very limited deposits. One of them, however, 
consisted almost entirely of bat excrement, while the others were in 
part composed of this material, but mainly of earth containing but little 
fertilizing ‘value. 
Owing to the small quantity of each found in these several deposits, 
complete analyses were not made of the samples received. 
A specimen called bat guano, received from Hon. Joseph Jorgensen, 
had the following composition as shown by partial analysis: 
