down to 22453 the data show that phosphoric acid is urgently needed. In fact, there are very few of these soils in which the available phosphoric acid is as large as is required.

The mechanical composition of the soils gives valuable data in regard to their physical texture and capabilities of supporting plant life. A soil must not only have plant food in an available form which it can offer a growing crop, but it must also be of such a texture as to permit the rootlets of the plants to penetrate all parts of the surface in which the available plant root is held. Sandy soils are easily perforated by the roots of plants, and for this reason, although as a rule they are deficient in plant foods, by judicious treatment they may be made to yield large and remunerative crops.

In the table of analyses the mechanical composition of the soils shows the relative proportion of particles of given diameters. The first column shows the percentage of particles larger than 0.25 mm, the second those smaller than 0.25 mm but larger than 0.10 mm, and so on throughout the list. When the particles become too small for convenient measurement, they are separated by suspension in water. Those that are smaller than 0.006 mm. which will not float for eighteen hours, are given in one column and those smaller than 0.006 mm. which will float for eighteen hours in another. In the last two columns is given the loss on ignition, which includes both water and organic matter, while in the last column is given the percentage of water in each sample at the time of analysis. By subtracting the percentage of water from the total loss on ignition the relative quantity of organic matter in each sample can be obtained.

ANALYSES OF SUGAR CANES.

Through Capt. D. G. Purse, of Savannah, arrangements were made. to secure samples of sugar canes grown, not only in the localities where the samples of soil were secured, but also in many other places. Instructions for securing and forwarding the samples were prepared as follows:

When the cane appears to be matured, or at the usual time of harvesting, select a stalk from an inside row. The stalk selected should be from a part of the field that represents average conditions.

Cut the stalk, after removing the leaves, into several short pieces and, immediately after, dip the ends of the pieces into melted paraffin, or, preferably, into a mixture of paraffin and beeswax. Wrap the pieces of cane carefully in strong paper. Fill in the blanks on the back of the shipping tag herewith and attach it to the package and mail the latter to the United States Department of Agriculture. No postage is required.

The packages should be mailed so as not to reach Washington on Saturday or Sunday.

Numerous samples of cane, secured in accordance with these instructions, were forwarded for analysis, the first samples reaching

the laboratory early in November, 1901, while the last samples were not received until January, 1902. Samples were received from the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. These samples, on their reception at the laboratory, were immediately subjected to analysis for the purpose of determining the specific gravity, sugar or sucrose, and reducing sugar or glucose, contained in the juices thereof. From the data secured the coefficient of purity-that is, the percentage of pure sucrose or sugar in the dry matter of the juicewas calculated.

The juices of sugar canes may be said to comprise about 90 per cent of the total weight of the canes. Therefore the percentage of the ingredients given in the canes themselves would be, in round. numbers, 10 per cent less than in the juice. For instance, if the

sucrose or pure sugar in the cane juices amounted to 13.2 per cent, the corresponding percentage of sugar in the cane would be 11.9 per

cent.

The analytical data, which were determined chiefly by Mr. Arthur Given, assisted by Mr. F. M. Cockrell, have been arranged alphabetically by States and counties, and are found in the table following.