NOTES ON SOILS ANALYSED.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XIII, Issue 1, 20 July 1916, Page 36

NOTES ON SOILS ANALYSED.

B. C. ASTON,

F.1.C., Chemist.

The results of the analyses of certain samples received during the past three years are here collected. Many of these are of considerable interest, but as they refer to types already investigated, to isolated types requiring a preliminary report for some Government officer or for some special reason, and there is not sufficient information to warrant more than brief notice here, it is deemed advisable to publish them together in order that the results may be placed on record. (See accompanying table.)

Mokotua, Southland, soils (CllB9/1-2) were analysed at the-re-quest of the Live-stock Division to ascertain if any cause could be found for the unthrifty condition, terminating in scouring, anaemia, emaciation, exhaustion, and death of cattle fed on the pasture and turnips grown on this land. These soils are lower in available phosphoric acid than the majority of Southland soils which have been analysed, and the lime-magnesia ratio is unbalanced. No. CllB9/2 was from a grass - paddock, No. CllB9/1 from a turnip-field. ,

Cape Farewell, Collingwood, soils (DlO5/1-4) are samples analysed at the request of the Live-stock Division in order to ascertain whether any cause existed for a deficiency disease in sheep pastured on the land. It will be seen that the total and available phosphoric acid is very low, and the available iron is also low, while the potash is present in good amounts.

Kohatu, Motueka Valley, Nelson, soils (Dlo2o).This is another instance of a soil having an unbalanced lime-magnesia ratio when extracted, by strong acid, though the reverse is the case when weak acid is used. The matter is fully discussed in the Journal of the Department for December, 1915 (Vol. xi, p. 498). The Fields Instructor in forwarding this sample reported, “ The top soil averages 6 in. deep, and will not grow anything but native, grass (very short), poor fern, and stunted manuka. This poor area is well defined, and in places the boundary is .almost a straight line. When it is cultivated it will not grow either root or corn crops, and after cultivation goes back into native grass and fern. There is a considerable area of similar country ,in the . valley.”.

1 It will be noticed that this soil is well supplied with plantfood, especially phosphoric acid, both total and available ; therefore the only reason apparent for the sterility is -the unbalanced limemagnesia ratio. The matter is being further investigated.

Coonoor, Puketoi ■ Hills, Pahiatua, soil (D 1210 was analysed to ascertain the cause of failure of a turnip crop. This soil has a slightly unbalanced lime-magnesia ratio, a character." it■ shares with most Wairarapa soils. -y ; , ; ■■■ ■ • ■ 7 !

Blueskin, Otago, soils (D1233/1-4) were analysed for the Justice Department. They are from estuarial land, and show a high percentage of available phosphoric acid and a higher percentage of available potash, whereas the total phosphoric acid and potash are normal. This peculiarity is one usually found in soils which are subject to intermittent action of sea-water, which, as has been previously pointed out, is a powerful indirect fertilizer.

Mendip Hills, Cheviot, Canterbury, soils (E57/1-2). —These were analysed at the request of the Live-stock Division. Hoggets grazed on this land developed lung and stomach worms. This land' has grown grass for twenty years, but has never been cropped. The analysis shows a deficiency of available phosphoric acid.

Hokitika, Westland, pakihi soils (ElO7/1-3), are samples analysed at. the request of the Fields Division. These soils are typical of the pakihi country (described fully, in the Journal of this Department for September,. 1913, p. 295, and the Annual Report for 1909, p. 464). There is said to be 70,000 acres of this type of soil, characterized by wetness, sourness, and great deficiency of mineral plant-food, • available and total.

Burwood, Canterbury, soil (E 582 was analysed for the Education Department. This soil is well supplied with plant-food.

Kapuka, Southland, soils (E7OB/1-4), analysed for the Live-stock Division, in connection with mortality in lambs, are generally low, and sometimes deficient, in total and available phosphoric acid.

Turakina, Wellington, soil (E 799 was analysed for the Horticulture Division. It was reported to have been heavily manured, and was found to be well supplied with mineral plant-food.

Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, soils (E963/1-3). —These were analysed for the Fields Division, being land where plot experiments were being conducted. The analysis shows them to be deficient in available and total phosphoric acid, the other essential plant-food ingredients being present in fair to good amounts.

Waitakaruru, '.Hauraki Plains, Auckland, (E 967. —This soil was analysed for the . Fields Division, it being taken from a farm only two miles from the sea in the Piako district, and therefore subject up till quite recently to periodic inundation by the sea. The excess of, available potash and phosphoric acid already mentioned as characteristic of estuarial lands will be noticed. The soil is typical of others described in the article on the Hauraki Plains in the Department's Journal for June, 1914, p. 565. •