292 
PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION B. 
We are therefore, I believe, justified in assuming that a soil will 
be most favourable to the development of the nitric ferment which 
combines the following characteristics : — 
1st. A fair proportion of humus. 
2nd. A warm climate. 
3rd. Provision for free access of air and of moisture (these 
depend upon its porosity, and are determined by its 
capillary power). 
4th. Good drainage to prevent stagnant water accumulating. 
5th. A certain proportion of basic substances. 
It will be seen that beyond the presence of certain mineral and 
organic matter the conditions favourable to nitrification are those 
whose presence otherwise indicates fertility — namely, fineness of 
texture and absence of excessive water. If the capillary power of a 
soil is low, it indicates an unfavourable condition for nitrification. 
It has recently been stated by a French writer that the presence 
of nitrates in the soil assists in rendering soluble the potash in such 
insoluble combinations as felspar, which is an additional mode by 
which the nitric organism promotes fertility. 
Provided, then, that the condition of the soil, as indicated by the 
physical properties above enumerated, is favourable to what I may 
call the metabolism of plant food, its fertility will depend upon the 
amount of that plant food, and it is immaterial whether that food be 
now in a soluble state or not. If the mineral and nitrogenous matter 
are present in sufficient quantity, and the soil possesses high absorptive 
capacity, high capillary powers — in short, is of good texture and 
possesses the conditions conducive to nitrification — it may, I think, be 
fairly expected to prove a fertile soil ; and in cases where one or more 
of the conditions conducive to fertility are absent, we may look to 
improved methods of cultivation to attain that fertility. 
The tabulated result of such an analysis as I have indicated would 
be as follows : — 
Eeaction of soil. 
Weight of soil (per acre, 6 or 9 inches deep). 
Capacity for water. 
Capillary power. 
Absorptive power for salts. 
Mechanical analysis. 
Gravel. 
Sand. 
Fine sand. 
Clay. 
Chemical Analysis (of fine soil). 
Water. 
Organic matter. 
Nitrogen. 
Soluble in ( Lime. 
strong boiling hydro- < Potash. 
chloric acid. ( Phosphoric acid. 
