194. EF. W. Hilgard— Objects and Interpretation of Soul Analyses. 
face soil. This fact is strikingly shown in the results of Lough- 
ridge’s investigation on the composition of the several sedi- 
ments. (This Journal, January, 1874, p. 19). 
The efficacy of lime in preventing “running-to-weed ” in 
fresh soils, and in favoring the production of fruit, is conspicu- 
ously shown in a number of cases. 
This controlling influence of lime renders its determination, 
alone, a matter of no small interest ; since its deficiency can very 
generally be cheaply remedied, avoiding the use of more costly 
fertilizers. 
bottom (“buckshot”) soil of the Mississippi, three - tenths 
(0°30). In that of a black prairie of Texas, 0°46 per cent, this 
being the highest figure that has come under my observation. 
How the lime compounds contained in the soil act in render- 
ing the phosphates more available, I do not pretend to discuss 
at present. A number (far too limited as yet) of determinations 
made according to Grandeau’s method, appear to confirm the 
inference that calcareous soils yield to this treatment a larger 
relative percentage of available phosphoric acid, than those 
deficient in lime. 
3. The potash-percentages of soils seem, in a large number of. 3 
cases, to vary with that of “clay ;” that is, inclay soils they are 
usually high, in sandy soils low; and since subsoils are 10 | 
ordinary cases more clayey than surface soils, their poles 
centage is almost invariably higher also. 1:3 per cent K,0 8 
the highest percentage obtained by ry method of | extraction, and 
that from the same soil that afforded the second highest phos — 
phate percentage also, the “ buckshot” of the Mississippi bottom, 
noted for its high and uniform production of cotton. As the 
same soil contains 1-4 per cent of lime, and is jet black with 
