SIMPLE SOIL TEST. 59 



that purpose put the 182 grains of soil, as freed 

 from water and organic matter, into a pint of water, 

 adding one half pint of muriatic acid, and stirring 

 the whole together. This was left standing for 

 several hours, until bubbles had ceased to rise from 

 the bottom. The liquid part was then carefully- 

 poured off, the residue dried in a hot oven, and the 

 weight again ascertained. This was found to be 

 176 grains, indicating a loss of six grains, which rep- 

 resents the amount of lime, and equals three per 

 cent. Thus we have 



Moisture in the fresh soil, - - 20J per cent. 



Sand in the dry soil, - - - 20 " " 



Organic matter in dry soil, - 9 " " 



Lime in dry soil, - - - 3 " ♦' 



What lessons are to be learned from this ? First, 

 that this particular soil is a rather strong clay loam, 

 which might be improved in porosity, warmth and 

 general manageability by addition of sandy matter. 

 Second, that the soil is very liberally supplied with 

 organic matter, and presumably in a fine state of 

 fertility. Third, that lime is not wanting. Fourth, 

 that we might expect fair returns from the judicious 

 use of concentrated fertilizers on this soil. 



The different classes of soils behave differently in 

 various respects, especially in their relation to 

 change of temperature, and in their capacities of 

 absorbing and holding moisture. Sand both heats 

 and cools off quicker than loam; this quicker than 

 clay; and this quicker than peat or muck. As a rule, 

 dark- colored soils absorb heat quicker, and are 

 consequently warmer in the day, but also cooler 

 in the night, than light- colored ones. 



Of all soils, pure sand has the least capacity for 

 absorbing moisture from the air, as well as for hold- 



