32 Solvent Action of Drainaye-Water on Soils. 



November, after the drains had been dry for many weeks 

 previous, contained 2-25 grs. of soUd residue to the pound ; 

 whereas that collected in the following April (No. 2), after 

 the land had been continually drenched by the winter's rains, 

 only gave '844 gr. to the pound. 



On adding a quantity of easily soluble manure (guano) to 

 the soil, the tirst waters (No. 3) that passed through not only 

 brought with them an increased quantity (1-525 gr. to the 

 pound), but they contained many of the very ingredients that 

 constituted the value of the manure itself. 



At the time the paper referred to was read at the Royal 

 Society, Edinburgh, it was suggested that possibly the turbid 

 portion first discharged from the drains after heavy rains 

 might contain matter also very valuable to the soil ; but on 

 comparing the subjoined analysis with that of the drained soil, 

 it appears to be composed of the same ingredients, with a 

 decrease in the proportion of silica and an increase in the lime, 

 both of which may be readily accounted for. 



Analysis of Soil deposited from Turbid Drain-Water. 



100-00 



I do not for a moment wish to question the value of the 

 principle of thorough draining ; that is now I believe univer- 

 sally admitted ; but if its results are deemed so beneficial to 

 the farmer under the present pi-actice, how much more so 

 would they not become, if some remedy were devised either 

 to pi*event as much as possible this great abstraction, or else 

 to render the enriched drainage-water again available to the 

 soil ! 



This subject has not, I find, escaped the observant mind of 

 Liebig, and in fact forms the basis of the ' Patent Manure,' 

 according to his specification in October last. He has argued 

 theoretically to the same end, and has proffered a remedy in 

 the shape of a manure, by his patent process rendered much 

 less soluble than before, -which of course would not be acted 

 upon so readily by the percolating rain-water, and would 



