— 66 — 
calcic carbonate and silicate, particularly in sample B., 
which is distributed between the three last portions. Im¬ 
perfect as the analyses are, they serve the purpose for 
which they are used. 
.5 mm. 
.25 mm. 
.10 mm. 
and Sand. 
+3 
5? 
Clay. 
1 
Dust. 
Soil A... 
6.888 
8.820 
72.450 
3.433 
.410 
7.999 
Soil B. 
4.416 
11.130 
73.745 
3.213 
2.247 
5.249 
Soil C.... 
6.011 
15.200 
68.650 
5.090 
.120 
.493 
Analyses by Mr. Chae. Ryan. 
The physical condition of this soil is excellent when it 
has been mellowed by tillage, but is compact when it re¬ 
tains the natural firmness acquired by its long-settling and 
the firming of its particles. The degree of flocculation is 
small. The particles are fine and puddle easily. The 
amount of alumina and iron—we may say alumina, for their 
is very little ferric oxide in the soils—together with the solu¬ 
ble silica convey a fair idea of the exceedingly fine state of 
division prevailing in them. The amounts of potash, phos¬ 
phoric acid, and nitrogen are abundant. We used hydro¬ 
chloric acid sp. gr. 1.115 in extracting the soil, and with the 
large amount of calcic carbonate present in some of the 
samples, the action of the solvent was propably not excess¬ 
ive; so that, after entertaining every misgiving as to the 
value of the results obtained by a chemical analysis, 
we may accept the amount of plant food taken into 
solution as representing approximately the amount avail¬ 
able in this soil. Here it should be noted that no at¬ 
tempt was made to determine the extent of this soil, but as 
it is common to find it, we assume that it is not an excep¬ 
tional soil, though it is by no means so common that it can 
fairly be claimed to represent the general soil of the 
county. 
In estimating the amount of ash ingredients removed 
by the crop of alfalfa from this soil, the basis of 9,000 
pounds of hay per acre may be assumed as a convenient 
estimate. The amount of ash ingredients removed for 
each 1,000 pounds of hay has been given for this particular 
case as 75.32 pounds, or for the 9,000 pounds—four and one- 
half tons—677.88 pounds.distributed as follows : 
