WESTERN DISTRICT. 279 



Soluble matter 2-00 



Organic matter 0.41 



Saline matter - 1 -56 



The matter which is set down as organic, consists mainly of crenic acid. It is in com- 

 bination with the alkalies and alkaline earths, potash, lime and magnesia. In the same 

 products, alumina or phosphate of alumina is invariably present. The clear solution is 

 always disturbed by caustic ammonia; a light flocculent precipitate appearing soon after 

 the addition of the ammonia. Chloride of sodium is another substance present in the 

 solution, and we also obtain sulphate of lime. It may appear to some that the quantity of 

 these compounds is too small to exert much influence on vegetation. When, however, 

 the whole quantity contained in an acre, not exceeding the depth of one foot, is estimated, 

 it will be found that it exceeds, or at least equals the manure which the best farmers ever 

 use upon their lands. The amount of soluble matter in a good soil is not less than twenty 

 tons per acre in the depth we have indicated ; but this is only about one-fifth the quantity 

 which actually exists, and which, in process of time, will be converted into the food of 

 plants. 



The soluble matter which we obtained from two hundred grains taken from a field of 

 G. Geddes, Esq. of Fairmount, and upon which barn-yard manure has not been spread 

 for twenty-five years, was 



Soluble matter 1-47 



Organic matter 1 • 18 



Saline matter 0-29 



Tn this, as well as in other trials, the organic matter is crenic acid in combination with 

 lime and magnesia. The condition in which the saline matter is obtained, is that of a 

 carbonate, which is formed in the process of incineration. 

 Another soil, which had never been ploughed, gave 



Soluble matter 1-34 



Organic matter 0*34 



Saline matter 1 -00 



Treated in the usual way of analysis, the cultivated and uncultivated soils gave 



CULTIVATED- TTXCCXTIVATKD. 



Water of absorption 5-25 4-79 



Organic matter 6*67 5-24 



Silicates 77-50 78-25 



Peroxide of iron and alumina 7-75 8-27 



Carbonate of lime 1-25 1-15 



Magnesia 1-10 1-20 



Sulphate of lime 0-22 0-20 



98-80 99-10 



