Absorption of Fotash by Soils of /mown Composition. 347 
of water ; after standing four days the liquid was filtered off 
and the potash carefully determined. 
Chloride of T>„.„ r j, 
Potassium. Potash - 
Before the experiment the solution contained 52-910 = 33-378 
Alter contact with soil 33-044 = 20\S54 
Difference 19-866 = 12-524 
Thus 3500 grains of soil absorbed 12*524 grains of potash 
contained in 19 - 86(> grains of chloride of potassium, or 1000 
grains absorbed 3 578 of potash. The amount of chlorine in 
52'910 of chloride of potassium is 25 248 grains. 
In the liquid, after passing through the calcareous soil, I found 
25-324 grains of chlorine. The soil, therefore, absorbed no 
chlorine whatever. 
Experiment No. 2. — On Clay Soil. 
This and the next two experiments were made in precisely 
the same manner as No. 1. 
Chloride of „ . . 
Potassium. Potash - 
Before filtration the solution contained .. .. 52-910 = 33-378 
After filtration 30-884 = 19-483 
22-026 = 13-895 
1000 grains' of soil consequently absorbed 3*97 of potash. 
Experiment No. 3. — On a Fertile Light Sandy Loam. 
Chloride of 
Potassium. Potash - 
Before the experiment the solution contained! f,-, 01 A QQ Q _ D 
4decigallons V % ~ ~ 6&6tb 
After contact with soil 40-4G8 = 24-188 
12-442 = 9-190 
1000 grains of soil, therefore, absorbed 2 - 626 grains of potash. 
This soil, it will be seen, absorbed a good deal less potash than 
the clay soil. 
Experiment No. 4. — On Pasture Land. 
Chloride of „ , . 
Potassium. Potash - 
Before the experiment the solution contained 52-910 — 33-378 
After contact with soil .. , 32-060 = 20-225 
20-850 == 13-153 
1000 grains of this soil thus absorbed 3 "758 grains of potash. 
In the filtered liquid which passed through this soil, I found 
25 "32 of chlorine, chiefly in combination with lime, which 
