SOIL 9 
of a fine powdery consistency, whitish-grey in colour. 
This does not cake or run together any more than the 
red sandy loam does. It has a somewhat silky appear- 
ance, and almost a greasy feel. This is known as 
“volcanic ash.” It is of remarkable natural fertility, as 
also is the red sandy loam, and thus is in every way 
eminently adapted for growing fruit. This soil is met 
with, amongst other localities, at the southern end of 
Okanagan Lake, at Summerland, and elsewhere, and at 
certain places along the Canadian-United States boundary 
line. 
Still another variety of soil, of probably even greater 
inherent natural fertility, is known as “black muck.” 
It is heavily impregnated with decayed and rotting 
vegetable matter, and is found as a rule in the bottoms 
of the valleys close beside the river or lake which in 
most cases occupies the greater part of the floor of the 
valley. But usually this land must be drained before any 
use can be made of it. As a general rule it admits of 
ready drainage by the simple expedient of digging a 
surface trench to the river or lake, or down to some 
lower lying spot. When drained, this sort of soil is first- 
rate for growing vegetables, especially for all kinds of 
root crops. 
Gravelly tracts are an abomination, and to be avoided 
at all costs. 
In a few localities really astonishing results are ob- 
tained on ground that in some ways is little better than 
gravel. It consists principally of disintegrated granite or 
minute particles of rock intermingled with sand and larger 
This soil contains almost no humus or decayed 
2 
stones. 
