Box 15, Folder 6: Geological Survey 1873

21. 6.

The following tables show that our soils will bear a favorable comparison with those of other states. They are from Dr. Owen's reports to the General Government, and are all the analyses of Wisconsin soils within my reach. It is much to be regretted that so few of our soils have been examined, and that they are not more generally distributed over the state.

23.

The average quantity of organic matter (which in general may be deemed a measure of the value of a soil) in these fifteen specimens is 9.44 percent.

In twenty four specimens of the soil of Western New York analyzed by Prof. E. Emmons* the mean quantity of organic matter is reported as 6.64 percent- those of Wisconsin being nearly one half more.

In one hundred specimens of the soil* of Massachusetts analyzed by Prof. Hitchcock+ the average quantity of this matter is stated to be 7.60 percent.- those of our state being one fourth more.

It will be seen, then that there is, of organic

* Report on the Ag of N. York, Vol. I. pp. 274-296. + Report on the Economical Geology of Mass. 1838

matter, the proper food of plants in the soils of Wisconsin 9.44 percent of Massachusetts 7.60 " " Of Western N. York. 6.64 " "

It is quite probable that the examination of a greater number of soils from this state would yield similar results. Would it not be well for the state agricultural society to apply a portion of its means in obtaining the analysis of specimens from every county in the state?

Very respectfully I.A. Lapham

The analyses of six soils of the Eastern shore, Maryland, known as "White Oak soils" by Dr. James Higgins, state agricultural chemist* show a mean of 4.93 per cent of organic matter: the soils of Wisconsin being nearly double.

* See his report pp 56-58

(not copied)

[table] Table I Analysis of Soils from the "Mineral Region" of Wisconsin from Dr. D.D. Owen's report (1839) page 49