18 



(2.) Analysis of a very fertile soil, near the Zuyder Zee, 

 Holland (Mulder): 



Tons per acre 

 10 in. deep, 

 insoluble silica (sand) and alumina. 



Soluble silica 57.646 576.0 



Soluble alumina 2.340 23.0 



Peroxide of iron (iron rust) 9.039 90.0 



Protoxide of iron 0.350 3.5 



Lime 4.093 40.0 



Magnesia 0.130 1.3 



Potash 1.026 10.0 



Soda 1.972 19.0 



Chlorine 1.240 12.4 



Ammonia 0.060 1200 Ibs. 



Phosphoric acid 0.466 4.5 



Sulphuric acid 0.896 9.0 



Carbonic acid , 6.085 61.0 



Humus and water chemically combined... 12.000 120.0 



Loss 0.828 



100.000 

 (3.) Analysis of a remarkably sterile soil : 



Tons per acre 

 10 in. deep. 



Sand 95843 958.00 



Alumina 0.600 6.00 



Oxide of iron 1.800 18.00 



Lime combined with silica 0.038 0.38 



Magnesia , 0.006 0.06 



Potash and soda.., 0.005 0.05 



Phosphate of iron 0.198 1.98 



Sulphuric acid., 0.002 0.02 



Chlorine 0.006 0.06 



Humus, carbonic acid and water 1.502 15.02 



100.000 



The poverty of this soil is apparent from the small amounts 

 of lime, potash and phosphoric acid present. The addition of 

 marl was found to produce a decided effect. 



A rough way by which the planter may determine whether 

 his soil has sufficient lime is to take a small quantity, put it 

 in a wine glass, and pour some muriatic acid over it. If the 

 earth bubbles up, or if, on putting the glass to the ear, a 

 fizzing is heard, there is enough lime; if no disturbance occurs, 

 lime is probably needed. 



