254 JVew Publications. [^pril? 



" Organic matter, . 6.95 (containing 2.45 per cent, of azote.) 

 Silica, .... 71.56 

 Alumina, .... 11.40 

 Oxide of iron, . • 5.62 



Lime, 0.80 



Magnesia, .... 1.22 

 Alkaline chlorides, 1.21 

 Phosphoric acid, a trace. 

 Loss, 1.24 



100.00" 



" It is a little remarkable, judging from the analysis here given, 

 that not only is the quantity of lime extremely minute, but even 

 the phosphates, deemed so essential and indispensable to success, 

 are also absent. 



" Such are the diversified results to which even the most scien- 

 tific are led; and they are well adapted to admonish us of the 

 imperfection of human knowledge, and the limitation of human 

 powers." 



We hope to be indulged in some remarks upon the opinions ex- 

 pressed by the author in regard to the results of analysis, and the 

 importance of lime in wheat growing. The rich soils analyzed 

 by Von Thaer were certainly remarkable for the great quantity of 

 organic matter as well as lime; but passing at once to the analy- 

 sis of Payen which we have copied, we say, that we by no means 

 see from this analysis that lime may be dispensed with, and we 

 venture to suggest, that the lime in this case was mostly com- 

 bined with the organic matter, and w^hich even in the small 

 per centage which is seemingly obtained from the soil; still, in an 

 acre of land it will be found to amount to nearly twenty tons of the 

 salt of lime. Here too, the organic matter, with 2.45 per cent of 

 azote, amounts to nearly 7 per cent, these together with magne- 

 sia and alkaline chlorides and phosphoric acid accounts satisfac- 

 torily for the productiveness of this soil. We have, however, 

 dwelt in this and in former numbers of this Journal upon the 

 value and importance of organic matter in the soil, especially 

 when combined with the alkalies and alkaline earths; and though 

 the fact be admitted to its fullest extent, that some vegetables 

 do derive nourishment from the atmosphere, still, it ought by no 



