No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. Soluble saline matter, 18 1 1 Fine earthy and organic matter (clay), 937 839 599 Siliceous sand, 45 160 400 ---- ---- ---- 1000 1000 1000 The most striking distinction presented by these numbers is the large quantity of saline matter in No. 1. This soluble matter consisted of common salt, chloride of potassium, sulphate of potash and gypsum, with a trace of sulphate of magnesia, sulphate of iron, and phosphate of soda. The presence of this comparatively large quantity of these different saline substances,—originally derived, no doubt, in great part from the sea,—was probably one reason why it could be so long cropped without manure. The unfruitful soil is much the lightest of the three, containing 40 per cent. of sand; but this is not enough to account for its barrenness—many light soils containing a larger proportion of sand, and yet being sufficiently fertile. The finer portions separated from the sand, and soluble matter, consisted in 1000 parts of No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. Organic matter, 97 50 40 Silica, 648 833 778 Alumina, 57 51 91 Lime, 59 18 4 Magnesia, 8½ 8 1 Oxide of iron, 61 30 81 Oxide of manganese, 1 3 ½ Potash, 2 trace. trace. Soda, 4 ” ” Ammonia, trace. ” ” Chlorine, 2 ” ” Sulphuric acid, 2 ¾ ” Phosphoric acid, 4½ 1¾ ” Carbonic acid, 40 4½ ” Loss, 14 — 4½ ------ ------ ------ 1000 1000 1000 1. The composition of No. 1 illustrates the first of those general deductions above stated, that a considerable supply of _all_ the species of inorganic food is necessary to render a soil eminently fertile. Not only does this soil contain a comparatively large quantity of soluble saline matter, but it contains also nearly 10 per cent. of organic matter, and, what in connection with this is of great importance, 6 per cent. of lime. The potash and soda, and the several acids, are also present in sufficient abundance.