38 EXPERIAIEXT STATION. [Jan. 



As may be seen from tlic table of analysis, it was not possi- 

 ble to account for the trouble from a chemical analysis showing 

 the total amount of the several elements of plant food present, 

 soluble in the acid solution. The soil producing a normal 

 plant showed a larger anioiuit of nitrogen and i)hosphoric acid 

 than the three abnormal soils producing a stunted growth; also 

 in one instance a larger amount of potash and lime. 



It seemed at least possible that any injurious eifect to the 

 growing plant might be due to the iraier soluble portion of the 

 various fertilizer constituents contained in the soil. A given 

 weight (200 grams) of each soil was, therefore, successively 

 washed with the same volume of hot water (1,000 cubic centi- 

 meters), the water being allowed to percolate through the soil 

 contained within a separatory funnel, cylindrical in shape. 

 The water solution was evaporated to dryness, carefully 

 weighed, and a chemical analysis was made of the saline resi- 

 due. The results have been calculated on the basis of 20 per 

 cent, moisture in the soil, and have also been computed to show 

 the pounds of the various constituents per acre. 



