126 Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 
ment analytical laboratory upon being placed in charge of it eight 
years ago. Things were expected to move slowly, and drastic 
changes were not to be dreamt of, so I had to remain perforce 
content with gradual developments. | 
It is just about ten years ago that circumstances were brought to 
my notice which ultimately led to a systematic investigation into the 
chemistry of the soils of the Colony. Towards the end of 1887, 
while performing certain investigations in connection with my 
University Fellowship, I was struck by the exceedingly small 
quantity of phosphoric oxide in some samples of oathay from the 
Bathurst district, that I was analysing. To this deficiency I 
ascribed the poor condition of the crops. For some time, too, there 
had been noticed a prevalence of a bone disease amongst the cattle 
of the district, and the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon expressed the 
opinion that this disease was due to a lack of phosphates in the food 
of the animals. My investigations now confirmed that view, and in 
remarking thereon in a report dated the 24th of February, 1890, I 
observed ‘‘ Judging from the analysis of the plants only, I should 
say that the soil of the Colony generally appears to be rather poor 
in phosphates.’”’ So small was the amount of phosphatic material 
in the crops analysed that it seemed a marvel that they ever attained 
perfection—if the term perfection may be applied to such dwarfed 
and sickly specimens as they were. A year later I reverted to the 
subject, and remarked, ‘‘ I do not regard the matter as settled satis- 
factorily, and commend it to the attention of the Grahamstown 
Agricultural School, hoping that ere long proper investigations will 
be made and the mystery cleared up.” 
The facts brought to light in connection with the investigations 
just alluded to showed me how beneficial fuller information respect- 
ing the soils of our various districts would be. Towards the end of 
1892, therefore, I made a direct recommendation to Government 
that investigations with the object of eliciting some such information 
should be undertaken without delay. The assurance of warm 
support was readily given, and the operations commenced, the virgin 
clay soils of the Cape Division being the first to be dealt with. 
Shortly after this work had been put in hand the services of the 
Government Botanist were requisitioned from Durbanville, in con- 
nection with a parasitic disease (Hrysiphe graminis) that had 
appeared amongst the wheat in that neighbourhood. In connection 
with Professor MacOwan’s investigations five samples of soil from 
the infected area were submitted for analysis. Fortunately the 
analytical survey of the soils had by that time advanced sufficiently 
to enable a comparison to be made between the virgin and cultivated 
