On the Chemical Properties of Soils. 



firms my supposition, and at the same time affords a good proof 

 of the delicacy of the method employed in these experiments. 



Second Experiment, an Fertile Loamy Soil. 



Equal parts of surface and subsoil were mixed together. The 

 surface soil is a friable sandy loam ; the subsoil is stiffer, con- 

 taining less sand and more clay. 



The mechanical analysis of this soil and its subsoil gave : 



Surface-soil. 



Sand , .. .. 76-16 



Clay 18-09 



Lime, magnesia, &c 1*37 



Organic matter 4-38 



100-00 



100-00 



Submitted to detailed chemical analysis, the soil and subsoil 

 were found to contain in 100 parts : 



Surface- soil. Subsoil. 



Organic matter and water of combination .. 4-38 2*59 



Alumina 2-15 5'39 



Oxide of iron 3'15 7'16 



Lime .- '77 -26 



Magnesia ' .. .' -13 1-22 



Potash -49 -88 



Soda .. .. -13 -28 



Phosphoric acid -12 -19 



Chlorine trace. trace. 



Sulphuric acid '06 -02 



Carbonic acid '31 T79 



Insoluble silicate and sand 



88-31 



80-24 



Containing nitrogen 

 Equal to ammonia . , 



100-00 



182 

 220 



100-00 



09 

 11 



3500 grains of this soil and subsoil were mixed with 14,000 

 grains of the above ammonia solution, and, after repeated shak- 

 ings in a well-stoppered bottle, allowed to settle for three days, 

 by which time the liquid became perfectly clear. The greater 

 portion of the clear solution was then drawn off, and the ammonia 



