182 



SORGHUM. 



For purpose of comparison, analyses? are given of two sugar-cane 

 soils, from a pamphlet on the agricultual chemistry of the sugar-cane, 

 by Dr. T. L. Phipson. 



A is soil from Jamaica, under cane for the first time. 



B is soil from Demerara, which has been steadily under cane for 15 

 years. 



C is soil from the Philippines, which grows a superior quantity and 

 ■ quality of sugar-cane — analysis by R. H. Harland. 



Moisture 



OriTiinic matter and combined water 



Silica and insoluble 



Alumina. 



Oxi<le of iron 



Lime.. 



Magnesia 



Potash 



Soda 



Phosplioric acid 



Suli)huric acid 



Chlorine.. 



Oxide manganese, carboiuc acid, and loss in analysis 



Nitrogen in organic matter 



Per cent. 



6 79 



25.05 



53 39 



13 16 



4.80 



1.60 



.42 



1.14f 



10 

 100 00 



Dr. Phipson calls attention to the greater amount of organic matter, 

 nitrogen, lime, and phosphoric acid in A, and to the important fact, 

 that the quantity of lime (.08) in B is far below that of the mag- 

 nesia (.25). This he regards as a very bad sign in cane soil. He deduces 

 from the results of a numerous series of analyses made by him, that 

 the degree of exhaustion which a cane soil lias suffered may be deter- 

 mined by comparing the relative amounts of lime and magnesia pres- 

 ent in them. 



In support of this view, he gives analyses of four samples of cane 

 soils from Guiana, A and B having been cultivated from ten to fifteen 

 years, and C and D having been cultivated over sixty years : 



* This quantity of chlorine is unusually high, and is accounted for by tue proximity 

 of n salt spring, 

 f The potash, soda, chlorides, together. 



