SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 231 



rough analysis of a soil, which, although not strictly correct, 

 may be of much service in determining the general character 

 of a farm, when a rigid and exact analysis cannot be obtained. 

 We give below two tables, one showing the composition of a 

 barren, and the other of a fertile soil. Taking the mineral 

 constituents of plants as a basis on which to predicate our rea- 

 soning in relation to the productive value of soils, we see at 

 once, that one of these tables shows a soil rich in all the 

 elements of fertility, while the other exhibits one almost irre- 

 deemably barren. 



ANALYSIS OF A NEW SOIL ON THE BANKS OF THE OHIO RIVER, 

 POSSESSING GREAT FERTILITY. 



Quartz sand and silicates, 87.143 



Alumina, 5.666 



Oxides of iron, 2.220 



Oxides of manganese, 0.360 



Lime, 0.564 



Magnesia, 0.312 



Potash and soda, 0.145 



Phosphoric acid, 0.060 



Sulphuric acid, 0.027 



Chlorine in common salt, 0.026 



Humie acid, 1.304 



Insoluble humus, 1.072 



Organic matters containing nitrogen, 1.011 



Carbonic acid united to the lime, 0.080 



ANALYSIS OF A SANDY SOIL, UNFIT FOR CULTIVATION. 



Silica and quartz sand, 96.000 



Alumina, 0.500 



Oxides of iron, 2.000 



Oxides of manganese, trace. 



Lime, 0.001 



Magnesia, trace. 



