78 
INVESTIGATIONS ON KOTHAMSTED SOILS 
the deeper subsoils sampled in 1893 helps to corroborate the conclu- 
sion. This is seen in the following table: 
Table 40. — Broadbalk wheat soils, plats 10a, 10b, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 7— Estimated 
loss of nitrogen compared with the nitrates actually found. 
Estimated average 
annual loss of ni- 
trogen per acre in 
excess of plat 5 not 
accounted for in 
pipe drainage. 
Nitrogen as nitrates found per acre in 1893 
in excess of that in corresponding depths 
of plat 5. 
1881 (30 
years). 
1893 (50 
years). 
First, sec- 
ond, and 
third 
depths 
(1 to 27 
inches). 
Second 
and third 
depths (9 
to 27 
inches). 
Fourth to 
eighth 
depths (27 
to 72 
inches). 
First to 
eighth 
depths (1 
to 72 
inches). 
Plat 10a 
Pounds. 
} 37.6 
Pounds. 
f 44.0 
1 41.0 
36.5 
a5.o 
31.5 
26.0 
31.0 
Pounds. 
30.1 
33.4 
32.0 
32.7 
30.4 
37.0 
23.6 
Pounds. 
28.1 
34.5 
30.9 
29.0 
27.0 
34.2 
19.2 
Pounds. 
Pounds. 
Plat 10b 
Plat 11 
Plat 12 
Plat 13 
Plat 14 
Plat ; 
Average 
28.2 
24.7 
19.2 
18.9 
21.8 
31.3 
24. 4 
14.5 
26.1 
38.3 
63.3 
57.1 
44.9 
53.2 
41.9 
25.1 
&5.0 
31.3 
29.0 
26.9 
52.1 
Nitrates are shown to exist at a considerably greater depth than 72 
inches. For instance, plat 7, in its ninth and tenth depths contains 
8.7 pounds per acre more of nitric nitrogen. The other plats were not 
sampled more deeply. How long a given quantity of nitric nitrogen 
takes to travel down below this depth we can not say and therefore 
we do not know how much of the subsoil nitrates was formed within a 
year. But at all events, viewing the matter broadly, we seem to find 
existing at one time in the soil and subsoil sufficient nitrates to fairly 
justify the conclusion that the annual loss of ammonia is well accounted 
for. However, as has been already said, although ammonium salts 
nitrify rapidly under favorable circumstances, it is nevertheless possi- 
ble, and indeed probable, that some of the ammonia of the ammonium 
salts applied in the Very dry season of 1893 had not become nitrified 
at the time at which these samples were taken. 
CHLORIN. 
GENERAL DISCUSSION AND FULL STATEMENT OF ANALYTICAL 
RESULTS. 
Ucfore proceeding to further discuss the nitrogen question, we may 
pause a while here to consider the results of the determinations of 
chlorids in the various soils and subsoils, as these — being, like 
nitrates, soluble and migratory constituents — throw some light upon 
the movements of water in the soil, and are indirectly interesting in 
connection with the question of soil nitrates and their movements. 
