449 E. W. Hilgard—Soil Analyses and their Utility. 
one, since while, as before remarked, I have made, or caused to 
e made, some 200 analyses of soils and subsoils, his classic 
works on the growth and nutrition of plants do not contain so 
much as a tabular exemplification of the composition of various 
soils, as resulting from chemical analysis. If, then, ‘ the prob- 
abilities of its uselessness in direct application to practice are so 
great,” as Prof. Johnson seems to hold, I have committed a 
grievous error, and squandered the substance of the State. 
I think that the considerations already adduced should plead 
measurably in extenuation of my course. But I will now state 
succinctly what services, in my view, soil analyses may fairly 
claim to be capable of performing, when conducted substantially 
in the manner, to the extent, and under the conditions defined 
more powerful, or at least more energetic, solvents; and that, 
therefore, a determination of those ingredients which may 
hen, however, a partial solvent of uniform strength is used 
in all cases alike, and its action continued for the same length 
of time, it may fairly be presumed that, as between souls of 
in 
? * 
measure, proportional to the amounts of available nutriment 
and the experience of cultivators as to the productiveness 4 
soils ; wii provided, tha 
