9 
ANALYSIS OF SOILS. 
In this day of science, it behoves every gardener to make himself familiarly 
acquainted with the component parts of the earths which he employs, in order to 
satisfy his own mind why one kind is heavy and binding, and another light and 
friable ; why some earths bear the title of loam, tliougli they differ from one 
another to a degree which leads to great perplexity, and renders the directions for 
the preparation of compost soils nearly unavailable. 
The term Anali/sis implies a dissection or separation of parts, and, as referring to 
soils, is strictly chemical ; for it indicates that their earthy constituents are 
detected, and forcibly separated by the solvent energy of powerful chemical re- 
agents. The different kinds and properties of earths have been rather minutely 
described in the pages of our second volume ; therefore it is not our intention to 
recur to them here, nor do we wish to impose the difBcult task of a chemical 
investigation upon those who perhaps have not time or opportunity to render 
themselves acquainted with its first principles ; but we have lately met with a 
treatise on the subject of analysis, which is so replete with good sense and candour, 
that we cannot refrain from taking the liberty to extract from it a few particulars 
that may induce many readers to peruse the original. It is the prize essay, by 
the Rev. Mr. Rham Am, commencing at page 46 of the Journal of the Eno-lish 
Agricultural Society, Part I., to which we allude. The writer candidly avows 
that he affects not to describe a chemical, a mineralogical analysis, but " a mere 
examination of the soil which may be sufficient for the purposes of the farmer," 
and which " can be followed by any man of common information, how^ever deficient 
in chemical knowledge." 
The investigation of the capacity of earths for the absorption and retention of 
water, of their specific gravity when compared with that of pure water, as furnishing 
a tolerable indication of their fertility ; and finally, the separation of the fine from 
the grosser parts, comprise the chief features of the reverend analyst's essay. 
The following extracts will tend to elucidate his plan. 
" A portion of the earth to be analysed, is dried in the sun or near a fire, until 
it feels quite dry to the hand. It is then reduced to powder by the fingers, or by 
rolling it on a deal board with a wooden roller, so as to separate the particles, but 
not to grind them : any small stones above the size of a pea must be taken out. 
If these form a considerable part of the soil, their proportion must be ascertained 
by weight ; their nature and quantity must be afterwards examined. This, being a 
very simple operation, and obvious to the sight, need not be described. 
Where the stones and pebbles are evidently accidental, they may be overlooked, 
as having little influence on the fertility. The dry earths cleared from stones 
VOL. VII. NO. LXXIII. C 
