618 



REPORT — 1897. 



quantities of certain elements for best results, all the surface samples come well 

 within the ascertained limits of fertility, and many of the soils are seen to 

 compare most favourably with those of recognised productiveness. 



The Maritime Provinces. 



The analyses of several typical soils in the Maritime Provinces are given in 

 Table V. Prominent among these is one from the Sackville Marsh, N.B., at the 

 head of the Bay of Fundy. The tides of this bay are phenomenally high, carrying 

 with them vast amounts of detritus. Large deposits of this so-called marsh mud 

 consequently form, and this material is highly prized by most farmers as an im- 

 prover, being applied at the rate of 100 to 200 loads per acre. Reclaimed marsb 

 lands are found to be exceedingly fertile. 



Particulars are presented of a typical soil from Prince Edward Island. It is 

 seen to be inferior in several particulars to many of our Western soils, and it would 

 seem, therefore, that this province, justly known as a fertile one, owes its reputa- 

 tion rather to good soil texture and favourable climatic conditions than to large 

 percentages of food constituents. 



Averages and Deductions. 



Table VI. shows the averages of the results from the soils examined, taken 

 province by province. The data, however, are only to be interpreted as represent- 

 ing the composition of soils of large areas in the respective provinces. 



General conclusions are drawn which indicate that in all the provinces large 

 tracts of untilled land exist that would rank with the fertile soils of other coun- 

 tries, and, further, it is shown that many Canadian soils are possessed of most 

 abundant stores of plant food, stores so vast as to allow of their most favourable 

 comparison with the richest soils of which we have any knowledge. 



Table I. — Analyses of Soils ( Water-free), British Columbia. 



