570 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



(e) In a sample of garden soil sent for analysis, the following 

 figures as regards lime and magnesia were found : — 



Lime . . . . . . -27 per cent. 



Magnesia . . . . . . '20 ,, 



In this soil lime was distinctly deficient, this deficiency being accen- 

 tuated by the fact that the soil contained nearly as much magnesia 

 as lime. In such cases, as I have had occasion to observe before, much 

 benefit will follow the application of a good dressing of lime. 



(/) A sample of soil was sent me together with roots of young vines 

 which it was stated had been damaged, the suggestion being that some 

 deleterious material may have been applied to the soil, and that it 

 had injured the roots. Analysis of the soil did not point to the 

 presence of anything which had been applied in the way suggested, 

 but I ascertained on inquiry that large quantities of artificial manure 

 had been used, and an examination of the soil, when washed out with 

 water, showed it to contain excessive amounts of soluble salts, nitrates 

 in particular being present in large excess. I was informed that a 

 mineral manure containing nitrate of potash, nitrate of soda, and 

 muriate of potash had been applied in February, again in May, a 

 dressing of nitrate of soda by itself being given intermediately in 

 April. 



I cannot but think that the use of soluble forcing salts of this 

 nature and to the extent here used must be deleterious, and that this 

 may possibly account for the injury which was here found. 



