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Phosphoric acid 32 .. 19 Carbonate of lime 20.40 .. 0.14 Sulphate of lime 22 .. 22 Magnsia 08 .. 24 Potash 85 .. 09 Soda 03 .. 14 Insoluble in hydrochloric acid:— Silica 49.82 .. 02.71 Alumina ‘ 3.11 . 7.25 Lime 49 .. .05 Magnesia 35 .. .30 Potash 22 .. .59 Soda 13 .. ,io 100.000 100.00 * Containing nitrogen 39 .. .14 Equal to ammonia 47 .. .17 The preceding analysis exhibits several points of interest, to which I would briefly allude. 1. In the first place I notice that the propor tions of organic matter and of phosphoric acid are much greater in the surface than in the sub soil. This difference arises from the organic re mains of the preceding crop, and from the ma nure which was applied to the land. 2. The larger proportion of nitrogen in the or ganic matter of the surface deserves particular notice. This proportion is capable of yielding one-half per cent, of ammonia, whereas the subsoil will yield ultimately only one-sixth of a per cent, of this important fertilising material. The greater part of the nitrogen, no doubt, exists in the soil in the state of organic remains, but some unques tionably is due to the action of the atmosphere on the well pulverized surface land. In other words, steam cultivation has rendered the soil capable of absorbing ammonia from the atmos phere ; an improvment has thus been affected which cannot be too highly estimated. This power of absorbing ammonia is mainly due to the presence of clay in the surface soil; and, as we have in the subsoil an inexhaustible supply of clay, deep cultivation, which admits air into the subsoil, must have a powerful influ ence in raising the productiveness of the land. 3. It will be observed that the total quantity of of potash present in the surface soil is nearly the same as that contained in the subsoil; but there is this remarkable difference; that, whilst the surface contains by far the greater part'of potash in a state of combination, in which it is readily soluble in dilute acid, the subsoil contains much SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. less soluble potash, and a much larger proportion of insoluble silicates than the surface soil. We may learn from this, that contact with air, induced by efficient cultivation of the soil, has had the effect of decomposing a large proportion of the insoluble silicates, and rendering the im portant alkali, potash, soluble. At the same time it will be observed that even the subsoil contains a good deal of soluble potash, which appears to me to indicate that the subsoil has been subjected to some extent to this amelior ating influence of the atmosphere, although it has not been turned up and brought to the sur face. It will thus appear that both surface and sub soil, the former to a greater extent than the lat ter, have undergone important chemical changes, in consequence the mineral food for plants has been rendered available, and the land acquired, in a higher degree than in its natural state, the power of absorbing ammonia from the atmos phere.” Now, sir, I have given my opinion, and I have supported it by results from my own farm, and Dr. Voelckers analyses and report give a good reason why I should attain those results. The clay lands of* England arc not poor, for they contain those qualities that will make rich es if the farmers will only bestir themselves to let air and water freely at them. —William Smith., in Gardener's Chronicle and Agricultural Gazette., Woolston , August \()th.., ■». 4 » . Seed Cohn.—Editors Southern Cultiva tor : — No one will deny that great care should be observed in selecting seed corn to plant, and yet numbers of farmers never see their seed com until it is carried to the field at planting time. The plan that I have adopted for many years, is to place a barrel in a corner of the crib, and to throw in it every large and vigorous ear. I shell oil* about two inches of the large ends, in order to get the largest and most prolific grains. This produces a large and healthy plant, that grows off much faster than small ones do. I have improved the yield of my corn over 50 per cent, by selecting in the manner described. Many farmers may think it quite a tedious job to select every ear of corn planted in this way ; but they will not find it so after giving it a trial, and selecting as much as possible on rainy days. This plan once adopted, will ever be adhered to afterwards. Try it—you will not regret it, but find it remunerative. T. A. 11. Benton, Ala., Oct. 14. 423