149 



Observations. 



This soil, a marly loam is rather lighter in texture than soil B., but 

 otherwise is fairly similar in general composition. The remarks made 

 on soil B., apply generally to soil 0. The most striking fact brought 

 out is the very great reduotion in available phosphoric acid and to a less 

 extent the nitrogen, in the soil through continuous cropping. A por- 

 tion of this land should be kept under bananas without manure, to de- 

 termine the minimum limit of available phosphoric acid required to 

 produce full bunches. It would seem that the soil is now on the verge 

 of exhaustion as regards phosphoric acid. A dressing of 4 or 5 cwt. 

 of superphosphate per acre should have a marked effect. The humus 

 is getting low and the nitrogen is below that in the other soils. A green 

 dressing of cow-peas should effect an improvement of these two factors 

 of fertility. 



A further sample of soil is required when the untreated portion 

 shows decided signs of being exhausted. 



SOIL ANALYSIS. 



Reference Number — 5. 



Source Details — "Stiff soil from St. Mary where Banaiaas have not 



done well." 

 Depth of Sample — 9 inches. 



Physical Analysis. 



Stones 

 Gravel 

 Sand 

 Fne Sand 

 Silt 



Agricultural f Fine Silt 

 Clay \ Clay 



Combined water, ) 

 Organic matter. J 



Per Cent. 



nil 





26 > 





0.94 





22.07 





22.87 



.Fine 



24.11 



^Earth 



17.45 





12.30 





Total ... 100.00 



Per Cent. 



Retentive Power for water ... 63 



Chemical Analysis. 



(Soil passed through 3 m.m. Sieve, dried at 100° C.) 



Insoluble Matter ... 54.22 



Soluble in Hydrochloric Acid 45.88 



f Potash ... .2907 



| Lime ... .2437 



^ Phosphoric Acid . 0254 



| Carbonic Acid as \ 19n 

 L Carbonate of Lime J 

 Combined Water and organic matter 12.30 



Humus (soluble in Ammonia) 3 . 15 



Nitrogen ... .2107 



Hygroscopic Moisture 9.66 



