66 



Other samples, in which only the Organic Matter and Nitrogen 

 were determined, gave in percentages 



I. 2. 



Organic Matter, &c. ,., ... ... ... i368 ... 13*65 



Nitrogen ... _ ... 30 ... ,g 



This material, which will, I think, be everywhere recognised 

 from the above description, is of very doubtful value as a manure 

 On no account should it be put on soil which is already somewhat 

 stiff, as it will tend to puddle the surface, Further, it contains 

 always a certain quantity of Sulphur as Sulphides which forms 

 Sulphuretted Hydrogen (a plant poison) under certain conditions. 

 In the first, of the above samples this Sulphur amounted to 22 per 

 cent., equal to '42 per cent, of Iron Pyrites, and when moistened 

 smelt distinctly of the above-named Sulphuretted Hydrogen. This 

 however would soon pass off on exposure to the air ; and it is well 

 worth while to try this material on a small scale, on light land only, 

 as it is quite possible that it may turn out very valuable, and in 

 some places it occurs in inexhaustible quantities. In such a case it 

 would be wise to keep it, so far as possible, .from actually touching 

 the stems of the bushes when first placed on the land, 



HULLAH SOIL AS MANURE. 



The most common material applied as top-dressing is however 

 hullah soil a material as variable in composition as can well be 

 imagined. In some cases where rank vegetation has existed for 

 many years it approaches bheel soil in character : in others it is 

 little else than sand from the bed of a running stream. 



For a hullah soil to be really valuable, it should, I think, fulfil 

 the following conditions : 



(i), It should carry a rank vegetation, wild cardamoms are 

 often a feature of suitable situations. 



(2). It should be black in colour, at any rate when wetted, and 

 contain plant refuse rootlets, &c. 



(3). It should not be taken from running water. 



(4). In cases where the soil to which it is to be applied is heavy 

 or close in texture, it should at least be of a lighter character than 

 that on which it is to be placed. 



