Analysis of Soils on Berbice River, 285 
Experience, you say, has proved that these soils are better adapted 
for the cultivation of cocoa than for sugar cane. This is easily ac- 
counted for by the above analyses ; they show that these soils are all of 
a dry sandy nature, therefore it is impossible for the moisture-loving 
sugar cane to grow upon them. Plants of a quick growth, such as the 
sugar cane, require that the mineral matters in a soil should be in a 
state of solution, so that they can be readily assimilated. The mineral 
matters in sand can only be in solution to a very slight degree, the lack 
of decomposing organic matter prevent their solution and the quick 
passage of rain through them washes out any soluble ingredients that 
may be present ; such is the case with these sands, and the natural con- 
sequence is that canes fail to flourish there and hence the reason why 
they get so soon burnt up. On the other hand, the cocoa tree being of 
very much slower growth, has more time to assimilate the little nourish- 
ment it seems to require. Of the four samples I should think No. 4 
must be the most productive ; by the higher per-centage of organic 
matter it appears to have been longer in cultivation than the others. 
I am, dear Sir, yours truly, 
(Signed) j. Owen Alexander. 
NN 
