388 



JOURNAL OF TILE KOYAL HOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



REPORT OF THE SOCIETY'S CONSULTING CHEMIST 



FOR 1909. 



By Dr. J. A. Voelckee, M.A., F.I.C., F.L.S. 



In the course of the year 1909, six samples were submitted to me by 

 Fellows of the Society for analysis. These comprised one manure (bone 

 meal), one water, and four samples of soil. 



Bone Meal. 



This was submitted by a Fellow residing in Cornwall, who thought 

 it looked different from what he had been in the habit of getting. It 

 cost £6 12s. 6cZ. ex-warehouse. The analysis was as follows : — 



Per ceut. 



Moisture . . . . . . . 8*56 



* Organic matter ...... 86*85 



f Phosphoric acid 20-61 



Lime . . . . . . . . 27'32 



Oxide of iron, magnesia, &c. . . . 4*31 



Sand . . ..... . 2-35 



100-00 



* Containing nitrogen . . . . . 4-71 



Equal to ammonia 5-72 



f Equal to tribasic phosphate of lime . . 45-03 



Though certainly a rather dirty-looking sample, this was one of 

 genuine bone meal and of good quality. The price was quite reasonable. 



Soils. 



These, as usual, formed the largest and most interesting part of the 

 work done, and points that may be of value are briefly noted in each 

 case. 



(a) Soil for Narcissus Growing. — This came from near Bletchley, 

 Bucks, and was garden soil of a property which the Fellow in question 

 contemplated purchasing, and where he intended growing Narcissi. 



The analysis was as follows : — 





Soil dried at 212° F. 





Per cent. 



Organic matter and loss on heating 



. 5-42 



Oxide of iron .... 



. 503 



Alumina ..... 



. 372 



Lime ...... 



•76 



Magnesia 



•36 



Potash 



•29 



Soda 



•25 



Phosphoric acid 



•20 



Sulphuric acid .... 



•07 



Insoluble siliceous matter 



. 83-90 





100-00 



* Containing nitrogen 



•209 



