12G 
On the Chemical Properties of Soils. 
The soil used in these experiments was the same as that em- 
ph)ye(l in the Fourth Series, 
\st Exjicrimpnt. — A stronj^ solution of pure ammonia in dis- 
tilled water was prepared, and its streno^th accurately determined. 
An imperial j^allon contained l'J4*39 jj-rains of ammonia, or 
lOUO <i;niins 2-777 grains. \ lb. soil (1750 grains) was placed 
in a well-stoppered bottle, and 7000 grains of the ammonia solu- 
tion of the above strength were added. The bottle and contents 
were repeatedly shaken, and then the whole left to subside for 
three days. The clear liquid was drawn off and weighed, and 
its strength determined in the usual way. 
Ammonia. 
Grains. 
Before contact with the soil 1000 grains of the solution) „ ^-^ 
/ V'777 
contained ) 
After contact 2-112 
•GG5 
Thus -665 grains of ammonia were removed from every 1000 
grains of solution, or 4-655 grains were removed from the whole 
solution employed (7000 grains) and retained by 1750 grains of 
soil. 1000 grains of soil consequently absorbed 2-66 grains of 
ammonia. The quantity of liquid drawn off weighed 4916 grains, 
and contained 10-382 grains of ammonia. 
The residue in the bottle was next shaken up with 7000 grains 
of distilled water ; after three days the clear liquid was drawn 
off, weighed, and its strength determined as before. 1000 
grains of the liquid were found to contain -510 grains of ammonia. 
The amount of liquid left in the bottle before the addition of 
7000 grains of water, and its strength, being known, this result 
will show whether or not the addition of water has had any effect 
upon the ammonia retained by the soil from a strong ammoniacal 
solution. 
Had the effect of the water simply resulted in the dilution of the 
ammonia-solution, which could not be poured off from the soil in 
a clear state, its strength would have been -484 grains of am- 
monia in every 1000 grains ; but it was -510 grains of ammonia, 
consequently '026 grains of ammonia were removed by every 
1000 grains of liquid, or -236 grains by the whole c[uantity of 
liquid employed in the experiment, from 4*655 grains of ammonia 
previously absorbed by \ lb. of soil. 
2iul Experiment. — 7000 grains of distilled water were added to 
the residue in the bottle from the preceding experiment, and 
after three days the clear liquid was drawn off, weighed, and 
the strength determined. 1000 grains of licjuid contained '192 
grains. If this second addition of water had not acted upon the 
