The suddeu appearjinee of this well known plant upon hinds which, 

 dnring the preceding season, liad been Cree from the objectionable 

 weed, suggested the previously described examination into its chemical 

 composition. A more systematic inquiry into the chemical char- 

 acter and the habits of many of our weeds cannot fail to give us here 

 and there useful information regarding an intelligent course to lessen 

 their chances of a luxuriant growth. 



Good agricultural authorities in Europe state that this variety of 

 sorrel does not grow upon a calcareous soil, but thrives upon a sand}' 

 soil of a medium state of fertility. They recommend a liberal appli- 

 cation of lime or marl as an effective remedy to check its growth. 

 Judging from the predominance of lime in the mineral constituents of 

 the sorrel, as shown by the above analysis, it seems that the stated 

 beneficial action of lime and marl, if true, has to be ascribed to their 

 modifying influence on the physical and chemical condition of the 

 soil, and not to a deficiency of lime as a special plant food. 



The material serving for our analysis grew upon a light sandy soil. 



FERTILIZER ANALYSES. 



318. MUCK. 



Three samples of muck sent ou for examination from Goshen, Mass. 



I. II. III. 



Pounds per BJundred. 



Moisture at 100° C, 63.75 66.80 43.18 



Dry matter, 36.25 33.20 56.82 



Ash, 17.30 8.55 26.12 



Nitrogen in organic matter, 0.75 1.09 0.97 



Sample No. I. consisted of a solid, unbroken, turfy mass, with 

 but little change in the original vegetable structure. It contained 

 some lime, with traces of phosphoric acid as more uoteworth}' min- 

 eral constituents. The nitrogen of the vegetable matter is that of a 

 fair quality of its kind, considering the total amount of earthy ma- 

 terial present. 



Sample No. II. consisted of a black-brown, somewhat pnlvereut 

 mass, with rootlets here and there interspersed ; it contained more 

 lime and phosphoric acid than No. I., but less earthy matter. The 

 smaller percentage of mineral matter accounts sufficiently for an in- 

 creased amount of nitrogen as compared with No. I. 



Sample No. III. consisted mainly of a material similar to No. II., 

 covered largely with a grayish saline mass, of an acid and astringent 

 taste. Treated with water at an ordinary temperature a very acid 



