THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 



161 



PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS IN WATER-SOLUBLE SALTS FROM BAHAMA BLACK 



LOAM. 

 (1 part soil to 5 parts water.) 



NOTE. Analyses of samples Nos. 3, 4 and 11 were made on fresh soil in the field, while 

 those of Nos. 9405, 9393 and 9399 were made in the laboratory, several months later, on air- 

 dry samples. 



From the above figures it would seem that the type is very rich in water- 

 soluble (and therefore readily available), mineral plant-foods. The phos- 

 phates in both fresh and air-dried samples are quite high, as is the potassium 

 with one exception. The soil is also very rich in nitrates, the two low figures 

 from air-dried samples having probably no significance as to the conditions 

 in situ. There are indications, however, that in places the soil might contain 

 injurious amounts of soluble chlorides, although not in quantities which could 

 not be readily removed by draining. 



BAHAMA STONY LOAM. 



The Bahama Stony Loam, or "pine-barren land/' was mapped only on 

 New Providence, and was found to cover nearly three-fourths of that island. 

 The type is really a variation of the Bahama Black Loam, but because of its 

 extensive area, its different vegetation and physiographic features, and the 

 general condition of the soil, it has been regarded as a separate type. The 

 soil consists of a very large proportion of rock fragments, with fine earth in 

 11 



