REPORT OF CONSULTING CHEMIST FOR 1916. 
359 
lime. The soil, further, was distinctly poor in phosphoric acid, though 
rich in potash. 
(b) Hop soils. Two samples of soil from Kent, intended for 
growing Hops on, gave the following analyses : 
(Soils dried at ioo°C.) 
A 
B 
% 
% 
Organic matter and loss on heating 
3-46 
Oxide of iron ..... 
3-00 
3'55 
Alumina . . 
2*09 
Lime ...... 
•73 
•56 
Magnesia ...... 
•33 
•56 
Potash ...... 
=16 
•33 
Soda ...... 
•27 
•24 
Phosphoric acid ..... 
•34 
•47 
Sulphuric acid ..... 
•06 
•09 
Insoluble silicates and sand. 
. 89-91 
88-65 
ioo-oo 
ioo-oo 
. -187 
•201 
For Hop soils, both of these were deficient in organic (vegetable) 
matter, and not nearly as rich in nitrogen as they should be, so that 
manuring with farmyard manure, shoddy, or other nitrogenous organic 
substance would be very desirable. They were both exceptionally 
rich in phosphoric acid, but poor in potash, more especially A. B 
was somewhat deficient in lime — and, it will be noted, there was 
as much magnesia as lime present. 
4. Injury to Plants (Orchids). — Some Orchid plants were sent 
me, together with the soil and other materials used in potting, as it 
had been observed that injury seemed to appear after the plants were 
potted. The leaves presented a spotted appearance, and in other 
cases had turned quite yellow. On inquiry it was ascertained that 
the plants were exposed at times to the fumes from the heating furnace, 
and it was thought that the fumes might have caused the damage. 
Chemical examination of the leaves, however, did not give support 
to the belief that there had been injury from sulphur fumes or the 
like, nor was there anything unusual as regards the potting material, 
except that some brick rubble used was considerably impregnated with 
salt. Advice was given to have this material well washed before using 
it, and also to have the plants examined to see if the injury were due 
to any fungus or similar attack. 
5. Sugar-beet. — A sample of several roots of Sugar-beet sent me 
gave on analysis : 
Water ........ 79-92 
Sugar 14-80 
Crude fibre ....... 4-02 
Other carbohydrates &c. . . . . -6o 
Mineral matter ...... -66 
ioo-oo 
The roots were well shapen, free from fang, and decidedly well grown. 
