96 
APPENDIX C.—REPORT ON THE SOILS AND MINERAL WATERS. 
most important (lime) is contained in all, and in some of them in large proportion. Magnesia 
is wanting only in two cases, while more than one-half contain manganese, which is the least 
important. 
The soils contain only minute quantities of the acid constituents, as is usually the case. 
Chlorine, indicative of common salt, is only wanting in two cases. Sulphuric acid, indicating 
sulphate of lime, is contained in thirteen soils, and in sufficient quantity. The most important, 
phosphoric acid, is found in only six specimens, and in one of these its presence is doubtful. 
But I may remark of this acid, that exceedingly minute quantities are known to produce a fer¬ 
tilizing effect; and yet its detection, in such cases, lies just at the limit of our capacity of testing 
its presence. 
Judging from the mineral composition of the soils, as above developed by analysis, I would 
consider them all either as good soils or capable of a high degree of improvement. Nos. 1, 2, 
3, 5, and 13 are light soils, the last one of which is inferior. Nos. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 14 are 
heavier loams, of good quality ; hut No. 6 appears to have hut little depth, and No. 8 is rather 
too heavy. Nos. 12, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are similar in composition and texture, and appear to 
contain available organic matter; the first and last of these appear to he superior to the rest. 
No. 18 contains all the ingredients requisite to a good soil except the alkalies, which were not 
tested for. 
Analysis of Waters .—The quantity of water was, in some cases, too small to make a thorough 
analysis of the substances dissolved; a qualitative examination of the constituents was there¬ 
fore made, in order to determine the peculiar character of each water. The gallon is here taken 
at 60,000 grains. 
No. 1. Head of Delaware creek, spring, temperature 60° Fahrenheit, March 4, 1854. This 
water contains 330 grains of solid matter per gallon, and it consists of a large quantity of sul¬ 
phate and muriate of soda, of some sulphate of magnesia, of a small amount of sulphate of lime, 
and of a portion of sulphuret of sodium. The annexed Table III exhibits the approximate quan¬ 
tities of the several substances named above in all the waters. (See Table III.) 
Nos. 1, 2, 6, and 7 are strong enough to allow of a detailed examination of their constitu¬ 
tion, although the table sufficiently expresses their character. 
I have the honor to he, your obedient servant, 
JAS; C. BOOTH. 
Captain John Pope, 
U. S. Top. Engs., Washington, D. O. 
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