74 NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



custom of ploughing in the old stalk after the cotton is saved 

 is an important measure. 



I have no means of determining the number of tons of the 

 stalks per acre, but the amount thus saved to the soil or suc- 

 ceeding crops is very great and prolongs the fertility of a 

 cotton plantation for years. 



In this connection it is proper to state the composition of 

 the cotton seed, which is now always employed as a fertilizer. 

 Its real value will be duly appreciated, though it is scarcely 

 necessary to confirm by analysis what experience had long 

 determined by its use. But the planter will understand bet- 

 ter what he is adding to his soil, and also how much from the 

 following results of analysis ; 



Earthy phosphates, 32.000 



Potash, 15.560 



Soda, 10.960 



Lime, 4.000 



Magnesia, 0.200 



Sulphuric acid, 2.720 



Chlorine, 0.120 



Carbonic acid, 8.540 



Soluble silica, 2.000 



Adherent sand, 23.600 



99.700 



The large quantity of sand is due to cotton adhering to the 

 seed which had been exposed in a pile to the weather. It 

 was not suspected until the ash was subjected to the action 

 of hydrochloric acid. It is of course foreign matter. 



After making all the allowance necessary for this foreign 

 matter it will not fail to strike every cotton grower of the 

 value of the cotton seed as a fertilizer. 



48. Analysis of the seed of buckwheat : 



Potash, 21.27 



Soda, 2.32 



Phosphoric acid, 49.85 



Lime, 3.01 



Magnesia, 15.84 



Sulphuric acid, 1.55 



