AGRICULTURE WITH CHEMISTRY. 



153 



he should procure the following articles and ves- 

 sels : 



Two sets of smail scales and weights, one to wei^h a few 

 pounds at a time, and another smaller ami moi-c accurate, 

 for ounces and grains: some porcelaine glass, or stone- 

 ware vessels unglazed, such as are called Vauxhall ware : 

 some muriatic acid, and mineral alkaline salt. These being 

 provided, the method of proceeding to ascertain the dif- 

 ferent proportions of the different substances in soils, is 

 as follows : 



The presence of calcareous mattter is ascertained, by 

 applying to the mould suspetfted to contain it, some 

 marine acid diluted with water. If it contain calcareous 

 matter, an effervescence will take place, and a neutral ^alr, 

 called muriat of lime, will be formed. This is to be sepa- 

 rated from the caithy insoluble matter, by a due propor- 

 tion of water, ami is to be evaporated to a certain degree- 

 Lastly, the calcareous matter is to be precipitated by mild 

 mineral alkaline salt. When the calcareous matter thus 

 precipitated shall l)e colleftcd, washed, dryed, and weighed, 

 the quantity contaijicd in the soil will be ascertained by 



u the 



