of Central Somerset. 5 



A second sample, taken from another part of the same field, 

 yielded the following analytical results : 



Moisture 7'12 



Organic matter and water of combination . . 14*76 



Oxides of iron and alumina 15-87 



Carbonate of lime 2*53 



Carbonate of magnesia 2*08 



Alkalies 2'60 



Insoluble siliceous matter . . 55-04 



100-00 



No constituent which does not occur in good land could be 

 detected in the preceding soils, nor are the component parts 

 present in abnormal relative proportions. 



In the next place I examined a soil from notoriously bad land, 

 on the estate of Sir Alexander Hood, at Shepton Mallet. This 

 soil contained in 100 parts 



Moisture 4*54 



Organic matter and water of combination . . 14 '40 



Oxides of iron and alumina 14*45 



Sulphate of lime '26 



Carbonate of lime .. .. 14--80 



Magnesia ' .. '96 



Alkalies '93 .' 



Insoluble siliceous matter 49"66 



100-00 



This soil was rather dark-coloured. The dark colour is due 

 partly to protoxide of iron, partly to the large quantities of 

 organic matter. Although not injurious in itself, an excess of 

 inert organic matter, and particularly protoxide of iron, indi- 

 cates a condition of the soil which is not favourable to the 

 healthy growth of plants. In a porous, well-cultivated soil, freely 

 penetrated by the atmosphere, the accumulation of organic 

 matter never becomes excessive,- nor does such a soil contain 

 protoxide of iron in large quantities. The presence of the latter 

 in considerable proportions always shows that the soil is not 

 sufficiently aerated, in order to produce a healthy and nutritious 

 herbage. As protoxide of iron is insoluble in water, I am of 

 opinion it is not injurious to plants, but it indicates a bad physical 

 condition, which affects the herbage more than the chemical 

 constitution of the soil. 



The next soil which I examined was a lias-clay subsoil from 

 Cossington. The analysis gave the following results : 



