ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CONSULTING CHEMIST FOR 1915. 503 



In both these cases the soil was not considered satisfactory, and 

 it will be noticed that in each of them the magnesia was much in 

 excess of the lime present. The remedy would be liberal liming 

 of the soil. 



(c) Hop Soils. — Two samples of soil which were sent to me from 

 Kent for information as to their suitability for hop-growing gave 

 the following analyses : — 



(Soils dried at 212 0 F.) 



Per cent: 



Per cent-. 



Organic matter and loss on heating 



4-66 



3 60 



Oxide of iron ..... 



2-37 



2 05 



Alumina ...... 



3-5i 



2-47 



Lime ....... 



•86 



•56 



Magnesia ...... 



•33 



•30 



Potash 



•32 



•31 



Soda ....... 



•17 



•14 



Phosphoric acid ..... 



•46 



•39 



Sulphuric acid ..... 



•06 



•04 



Insoluble silicates and sand . 



87-26 



90-14 





ioo-oo 



ioo-oo 



Nitrogen ...... 



•191 



•182 



The soils were loams of somewhat light nature. The differences 

 between them were but small, and the analyses showed that, for 

 hop-growing purposes, they were both somewhat deficient in organic 

 matter and in nitrogen. 



In other respects they were very fairly supplied. Such soils 

 as these would, no doubt, benefit by the use of shoddy, rape dust, 

 or the like. 



(d) Orchard Soil. — A sample of soil was sent me from land in 

 Kent, which it was intended to use as an orchard. 



(Soil dried at 212 0 F.) 



Per cent. 



Organic matter and loss on heating . 



4'42 



Oxide of iron ..... 



1-86 



Alumina ..... 



3'52 



Lime ...... 



•33 



Magnesia ..... 



•30 



Potash 



•24 



Soda ...... 



•22 



Phosphoric acid .... 



•07 



Sulphuric acid .... 



•04 



Insoluble silicates and sand 



89-00 





ioo-oo 



Nitrogen ..... 



•189 



The soil was a somewhat heavy clay loam with a heavy clay 

 subsoil. It can by no means be described as a good soil for the purpose. 

 The analysis shows two main deficiencies, viz. that of lime, and 

 more particularly that of phosphoric acid. 



Poisoning of Plants. — A matter was submitted to me in which 

 there was suspicion of carnation plants having been killed by some- 

 thing applied to the soil. A sample of the soil was sent me, and also 



