63 



These have included : (i) drainage; this has been found an essential 

 of the first importance; (2) the addition of sand and clay, singly 

 and together. Many mucks by this treatment have been converted 

 into excellent loams. (3) the addition of the mineral constituents 

 of plant food potash, phosphoric acid and lime. These have 

 been applied in the form of potash salts (muriate, etc.), and alkaline 

 phosphates, (basic slag) separately and in admixtures. Wood ashes 

 also have been tried with advantage as well as simple dressings of 

 lime to correct acidity. Most encouraging results in the majority 

 of instances have been obtained from thus applying the lacking 

 mineral elements, and especially from the application of those mixtures 

 which by their alkalinity serve to neutralize the muck's acidity; (4) 

 an application of stable manure for good loam. Although muck is 

 practically organic matter and is rich in nitrogen, it has been found 

 that at the outset (and after the drainage and settling of the muck) 

 such an application has proved very beneficial. This, it is concluded, 

 is due rather to the introduction of desirable soil bacteria than to 

 the small amounts of plant food thus supplied. 



ENRICHMENT OF SOILS. 



Useful work has been done in conducting experiments for the 

 enrichment of soils through the growth of legumes. For many 

 years a study has been made of leguminous plants in this con- 

 nection. Reference to the work with clover has already been made 

 under the heading 'Use of Fertilizers,' carried on jointly by Dr. 

 Saunders, Mr. Grisdale and Mr. Shutt. Besides clover, such crops 

 have been dealt with as Alfalfa, Hairy Vetch, Peas, Soya Beans 

 and Horse Beans. In this work, in addition to analysis, the weights 

 per acre were taken of the foliage and of the roots (to a depth of 

 about nine inches) separately, so that the manurial value of the roots 

 could be estimated when the crop was removed. This work also 

 included the analysis of soils before and after the growing of clover. 

 The results indicate that a very large proportion of the nitrogen 

 holding organic matter from the turned under clover becomes part 

 and parcel of the soil, producing wonderful results in the increased 

 yields of succeeding crops. 



LEGUMINOUS CULTURES. 



For several years experiments were carried on with cultures 

 or preparations of nitrogen-fixing bacteria using the methods of 



