ANALYSES OF SUGAR CANES. 



21 



down to 22450 the datM show that i)h<>s[)lioi-i(' acid is ui-geiitly iiccdod. 

 Ill fact, there are very few of these soils in whieh the avaihible phos- 

 phoric acid is as large as is i-eqiiired. 



The mechauical composition of tlie soils gives valuable data in 

 regard to their physical texture and capabilities of sui)porting iilant 

 life. A soil must not only have i)lant food in an available form which 

 it can offer a growing crop, but it luustalso be of such a texture as to 

 liermit the rootlets of the jjlants to penetrate all parts of tlie surface 

 in which the available plant root is held. Sandy soils are easily per- 

 forated by the roots of plants, and for this reason, although as a rule 

 they are deficient in plant foods, by judicious treat iiiriil they may be 

 made to yield large and remunerative crops. 



In the table of analyses the mechanical composition ol' Wxo soils 

 shows the relative proportion of particles of given diameters. The first 

 column shows the percentage of particles larger than 0.2.") mm, tlie 

 second those smaller than 0.25 mm but larger than U.IO mm, and so 

 on throughout the list. When the iiarticles become too small for con- 

 venient) measurement, they are separated by suspension in water. 

 Those that are smaller than O.ooi; mm. which will not float for cnghteen 

 hours, are given in one column and those smaller than O.ooi; mm. which 

 will float for eighteen hours in another. In the last two columns is 

 given the loss on ignition, which includes both water and organic mat- 

 ter, while in the last column is given the ])erceiitage of watei- in each 

 sanqile at the time of analysis, liy subtracting the percentage of 

 water from the total loss on ignition the relative quantity of organic 

 matter in each sample can be obtained. 



ANALYSES OF SUGAR CANES. 



Through Capt. I). (4. Purse, of Savannah, arrangements were made 

 to secure samples of sug.u- canes grown, not onh' in the localities 

 where the samples of soil w(;re secured, but also in many other places. 

 Instructions for securing and forwarding the samples wei"e ])r('])ared 

 as follows: 



When the fane appear.s to be matured, or at the nsiial time of harvesting, select 

 a stalk from an inside row. Tlit> stalk selected should be from a jjart of the field 

 that represents average conditions. 



Cnt the stalk, after removing the leaves, into several short pieces and. imme- 

 diately after, dip the ends of the jiieces into melted paraffin, or. preferably, into a 

 mixture of paraffin and beeswax. Wrap the pieces of cane carefully in strong 

 paper. Fill in the blanks on the l)ack of the shipping tag herewith and attach it 

 to the package and mail the latter to the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture. No postage is required. 



The packages should be mailed so as not to reach Washington on Saturday or 

 Sunday. 



Numerous samples of cane, secured in accordance with these in- 

 structions, were forwarded for analysis, the first samples reaching 



IP.miHi' '.'>.! 



