ANALYSES OF NOVA SCOTIAN SOILS. HARLOW. 335 



that fertilizers by chemical action destroy these poisons, 

 rendering the soil healthful for growing plants. 



Some of these toxins, as picoline carboxylic acid, dihy- 

 droxystearic acid and agroceric acid, have been isolated 

 from the soil and their deleterious effects shown on seedlings. 

 These two views have led to a long discussion between 

 the soil men at Washington and another group represented 

 by Hall, of England, and Hopkins, of Illinois. One writer 

 says "The practice of Agriculture has suffered and is suffering 

 today from an insufficient accumulation of facts and data 

 and from an overproduction of theories and conclusions". 



It is the purpose of this work to provide some data 

 regarding the ultimate composition of the rock debris found 

 in the soils of this Province. To this end 125 samples of soil 

 have been collected, 86 of which have been studied with 

 particular emphasis on the chemical analyses and the rela- 

 tionship of the soil to the surrounding rock, both native and 

 drift. This work has been my pastime during vacation 

 seasons since 1908. 



Samples were taken as follows: — 



24 Marsh soils from various points between Kingsport and 



Windsor, along the Cobequid Bay and from the Amherst 

 areas. 



25 at various places along a line extending across the county 



from Tatamagouche to Middle Musquodoboit. 



12 from the central part of Lunenburg county. 



8 from the Annapolis valley. 

 10 from the Wentworth valley. 



2 from the Government farm, Truro. 



2 near Antigonish town. 



1 from Guysboro county. 



1 from Digby county. 



1 from Chfton, Colchester county. 



