62 FERTILIZERS 



If samples of soil be taken according to the direc- 

 tions of the State Experiment Station the results 

 may be relied upon as indicating that soil's capacity 

 for various crops. This information, with the 

 owner's knowledge of previous treatment, together 

 with the appearance of the vegetation and growth 

 gives a pretty thorough diagnosis. Each of these 

 sources of information acts as a check or supple- 

 ments the other two. 



98. Soil analysis should be interpreted by an ex- 

 pert for where T \c of 1 % would be considered a suffic- 

 iency of some element, it would be regarded as a 

 deficiency of other elements. A soil containing % of 

 1% humus is lacking in that substance, while that 

 amount of potash or lime would be considered 

 ample for fertility. (100). 



Again, soil analyses may reveal the presence of 

 some poison, such as carbonate of soda, or chlorine, 

 in the midst of otherwise fertile conditions, An ex- 

 cess of either acid or alkali can likewise be deter- 

 mined. Plant food may be present in abundance and 

 yet the results be unsatisfactory on account of poor 

 cultural conditions, or lack of humus. This, also, 

 soil analysis would reveal. 



Whenever there is uncertainty about the needs of 

 crops or orchard, soil analysis should always be 

 taken. One element, only may be lacking and thus 

 discovered, and the purchase of the element unneces- 

 sary be avoided. The California State Experiment 

 Station has advised farmers that sufficient potash is 

 present in nearly all California soils. General experi- 

 ence has confirmed this statement, thus saving the 

 farmers many dollars annually. 



