12 
N. C. Experiment Station 
(blueberry) should thrive on the poorly drained soils. Bye, too, seems 
adapted to the soil conditions imposed upon it. If, however, corn is 
to be raised as it has been in the past, the investigations reported here 
offer no method for the improvement of the crop yield other than those 
.already suggested by field test; that is, moderate and frequent applica¬ 
tions of ground limestone and fertilization with nitrate of soda and a 
potash salt. Any deficiency of the soil in phosphorus may, per¬ 
haps, be remedied by applications of insoluble phosphates without caus¬ 
ing the damage which has accompanied the use of acid phosphate. 
CONCLUSIONS 
1. The typical muck soils of Eastern North Carolina are acid and 
sooner or later liming will become necessary in order to maintain the 
yield of corn. 
2. Tracts which cannot be adequately drained do not derive the full 
benefit from liming, probably on account of the presence of soluble 
salts of iron, especially the nitrate. 
3. No method for the determination of the lime requirement of 
these soils is feasible as the organic nitrogen constitutes a reserve of 
potential acidity impossible of accurate estimation. 
4. The characteristic acid in these soils is nitric acid formed by 
the bacterial oxidation of the organic matter. The degree of acidity is 
determined by the reserve of bases in the soil or by conditions which 
limit the activity of the nitrifying bacteria. 
5. Applications of potash salts and nitrate of soda are beneficial 
and should he given a trial on all soils not giving satisfactory yields. 
6. Acid phosphate is injurious when used under present systems of 
management, and should be applied sparingly or not at all. The ill 
effect of this fertilizing material may be due to its effect in increasing 
the acidity by stimulating the growth of the acid-producing organisms 
of the soil. The insoluble phosphates should he tested on muck soils 
which do not respond to applications of acid phosphate. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 
Many of the data recorded in this article have been furnished by 
R. W. Howell, manager of the Nissen Farms, whose well-planned and 
accurately conducted experiments have been of inestimable help in the 
. orientation of the chemical investigation of the problems involved. 
Part of the analytical work reported was done by E. S. Dewar. 
