98 
ANALYSES OF THE OAT. 
intention, in the selection of the soil, to show, first, what it was ; and then to show what 
it became after the removal of the crops. Accordingly, two specimens of soil from each 
acre were sent me for analysis : the first, to show what it was ; and the second, to show 
what it is; but as the selection was made as I have stated, it is evident that the analyses 
will be less satisfactory than if they had been made in a different manner. 
The only crop which has been forwarded for analysis, is the oat crop, a specimen from 
each of the three acres ; but the oat was incomplete, inasmuch as it was cut off about eighteen 
inches from the ground, leaving about one half or two-thirds of the straw. It is important 
to state these imperfections in the experiments. Besides it is stated that the acre which is 
unmanured is naturally the richest; a fact which was suspected in the analysis of the oat. 
I will now proceed to the details of the analyses; premising, however, that my object 
in engaging in them was to throw more light on the composition of the soil of the Wheat 
district. The soil, as decribed by Mr. Osborn, is a gravelly loam, with a clay subsoil from 
eight to sixteen inches deep. For further details of the experiments, the reader is referred 
to the State Agricultural Society’s Transactions for 1847. 
ANALYSIS OF THE SOILS REFERRED TO IN THE PRECEDING REMARKS. 
I. The east acre was manured with ten cords of barnyard manure, which was hauled 
on while wet, and spread as fast as it could be ploughed in. One hundred grains of the 
soil were saturated with moisture; 26"886 grs. of water were absorbed, leaving 73"114 of 
dry soil. 
Another 100 grs. gave 
Soil as it was. 
Organic matter 
- 
- 
5-390 
Water - 
- 
- 
1-905 
Silica ----- 
- 
- 
84-375 
Alumina, peroxide of iron and phosphates 
5-870 
Soluble silica ... 
- 
- 
0 • 145 
Carbonate of lime - 
- 
- 
0-243 
Magnesia - 
- 
- 
0-025 
Potash ----- 
- 
- 
0-164 
Soda - - - - - 
- 
- 
0-485 
Chloride of sodium 
- 
- 
0-012 
Sulphuric acid 
Carbonic acid not appreciable. 
- 
- 
0-004 
98-618 S. 
