TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 373 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. The Soils of the Transvaal from their Chemical Aspect. 
By Hrrvert Ince, £.1.C. . 
The results of the analyses of some seventy or eighty samples of soil, collected 
from various parts of the colony, were given, together with details as to the methods 
employed in their collection and examination. 
‘A discussion of the results and of the general conclusions to be drawn from the 
material already obtained was also included. 
A comparison was made between European and Transvaal soils, with reference 
to their composition, and especially to the interconnection of their chemical com- 
position and fertility as indicated by field experience. 
It was shown that to take English standards in judging of fertility from 
chemical analysis may lead to erroneous conclusions in the case of tropical or sub- 
tropical soils, and that, given a suflicient supply of water, a soil of apparently poor 
quality from analytical results may yield luxurious crops under the favouring 
conditions of growth existent in this colony. 
2, Pretoria Rain and its Content of Combined Nitrogen. 
By Hersert Ines, /LC., CS. 
The rain falling in Pretoria since February 1, 1904, has been collected, and 
measured, and its content of nitrogen existing as ammonia and as nitrates and 
nitrites has been determined each week. 
The results were given both in parts per million of rainwater and also in weight 
of nitrogen per unit area — grammes per hectare and pounds per acre. Compari- 
sons with English and other determinations were given. 
The results showed that the amount of combined nitrogen brought down in 
the rain in Pretoria is considerably greater than the average amounts in Europe. 
Certain relationships between the richness in nitrogen and the total rainfall 
each week are observable. 
3. A Fuel of the Midland Districts of South Africa. 
By KE. H. Crogan, 
Tbe region known as the Midland Districts is dry and treeless, with a scarcity 
of rainfall. The better part of this region is suitable for sheep-farming, being 
sparsely covered with bushes, the foliage of which constitutes the chief food of 
sheep and cattle. These bushes are very hardy, and have an enormous root system, 
penetrating to a great depth. They are of great nutritive value, as they contain 
a comparatively large quantity of digestible carbohydrates, principally starch. 
These carbohydrates are associated in the plant system with potash compounds ; 
therefore we also find a large quantity of potash in sheep excreta. 
This manure accumulates in considerable quantity in the kraals (a sort of 
paddock near the homestead). 
The farmer has no use for this manure as such, because he has no water for 
irrigation, and gets a very insufficient supply from his wells. In some parts of the 
sheep districts it is a well-known fact that the drought is often so severe that the 
lambs are killed to save the ewes. 
_ The farmer therefore only uses the dung as fuel. He has it dug out and cut 
into bricks, somewhat resembling those made of spent tan, which in some 
Continental countries are similarly used as fuel. The ashes are thrown aside, and 
frequently accumulate a3 small mounds near the homestead. 
These ash-heaps, as well as the manure itself, are of great economic value, 
more particularly for heavy, clayey soils. 
