266 
PROCEEDINGS OE SECTION B. 
silica, organic matter, &c. A most important constituent in these 
waters is the rather large proportion of potash present, thus 
contributing this important fertiliser to the soil irrigated with artesian 
waters. 
The composition of the soils in the neighbourhood of these bores 
is one of great interest. The great trouble contended against in parts 
of India and America on their irrigation works is that a large number 
of the soils already contain “ reh,” or alkaline salts. 
Analyses made of the soluble salts, in two samples of soil taken 
from near the Earringun artesian bore, yielded as follows : — 
Soluble saline matter ... 
No. 1. 
1*0328$ 
No. 2. 
•941 6$ 
Consisting of — 
Soda (Na a O) 
0*2950 
02131 
Potash (K 2 0) 
•0439 
•0934 
Lime (CaO) 
•0628 
•0748 
Magnesia (MgO) 
•0279 
•0229 
Clayey matter 
•0168 
•0172 
Sulphuric anhydride (S0 3 ) 
•1130 
•0910 
Chlorine (Cl) 
•4340 
•3830 
Carbonic acid (Co 2 ) and 
organic matter ... 
*0394 
•0462 
1-0328 
The soils gave a very slight alkaline reaction. 
•9416 
Mr. F. E. Guthrie* F.C.S., Analyst to the Department of Agricul- 
ture, has kindly furnished me with the analysis of a mixture of seven 
soils obtained from the neighbourhood of the Native Dog Bore. The 
soils had been cropped. 
Reaction — Slightly Alkaline. 
Capacity for water ... ... ... 2633 
Absorbed weight per acre (6 inches deep) 3,567,293 
Mechanical Analysis. 
Boot fibres ... 
Stones 
Coarse gravel 
Fine gravel 
Sand 
Clay 
10000 
None 
*08 
7- 00 
81*54 
8- 38 
Fine Soil. 
Moisture... ... ... ... 1'783§ 
Volatile and combustible matter 3T38g-| ~ Ammonia TO&g-^ 
Soluble in hydrochloric acid sp. gr. 1T00 
Lime fCaO) *085 (fair) 
Potash (KO) (K 2 0) *249 (satisfactory) 
Phosphoric acid (P 2 O s )... ... *079 (fair) 
