ST. JOHN: SABLE ISLAND. 49 



'Analysis of this sand after separation of the greater part of the fibre showed 

 .0018 per cent of nitrogen. 



'Digestion of this sand with hydrochloric acid (sp. gr. 1.115) at the temper- 

 ature of boiling water for 5 hours, showed that .412 per cent had passed into 

 solution. 



'The examination of this acid solution gave the following data: 



'Oxide of iron and alumina 328 



'Lime 062 



'Phosphoric acid 012 



'Potash: By the spectroscope, traces of potash were plainly discernable. 

 With the usual reagent (platinic chloride) only a very faint precipitation was 

 obtained when working on an acid solution from 10 grams of the sand. 



'No. 2. Sample of peaty soil from surface underlaid by sand in central part 

 of island 1^ miles east of residence of Superintendent where a large block of 

 trees has been planted, locality known as Gourdeau Park, layer 3 to 4 inches 

 thick. 



'Analysis of (air-dried) peaty soil: 



p.c. 



'Moisture 4. 87 



'Organic matter 22. 22 



'Mineral matter practically sand 72 . 91 



100 



'Nitrogen in organic matter 878 



'No. 3. Representative sample of peaty soil covering a large area some dis- 

 tance east of where No. 2 was taken, from 3 to 4 inches deep, and underlaid 

 by sand. Weight soil, air-dried, 3 pounds 12^ ounces, containing 5^ ounces 

 fibre. 



'Analysis of (air-dried) peaty soil: 



p. c. 



'Moisture 1.48 



'Organic matter 8 . 63 



'Mineral matter practically sand 89. 89 



100 



'Nitrogen in organic matter . 271 



'No. 4. Sample from a large lump of peaty soil found on the beach on the 

 south shore, being washed by the sea. It contains a considerable amount of 

 semi-decayed eel grass Zostera maritima. Weight of soil, air-dried, 1 pound 

 5 ounces, containing 2% ounces fibre, principally eel grass. 

 'Analysis of (air-dried) peaty soil : 



p. c. 



'Moisture 3.00 



'Organic matter 9. 50 



'Mineral matter practically sand 87. 50 



100 



