AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2652, 6 November 1909, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

LECTURE ON SOILS. There was a good attendance cf teachers at the Gisborne School yesterday afternoon to meet'.-Mr. E. G. Loten, who delivered the 'continuation, cf his lecture oil “Soils,” which was commenced last 'month. The subject dealt witlj. was the different varieties of soils, and Mr. Loten stated that soils differed mainly from the climate, and district, and the manner in which they were formed. Soils were divided into two main classes-: (1) Sedimentary or soils in iplace, and (2) transported, the latter being subdivided into (a) drift and (b) alluvial. .Sedimentary soils,remain in place or in close proximity to the rocks from which they .were formed, and as a rule were shallow, and partook of the nature and character of the underlying rocks, an examination of which was a sure method for determining their composition and value. Transported soils had been subjected to geological agencies, by whose power they had been teinoved from the beds where they were originally formed and deposited‘in new. localities, /usually as sediment fimm flowing water, (a) Drift soils consisted of small stones, mixed with more or less fine material, resulting from disintegration and water erosion. (b) Alluvial soils embrace all soils of water deposits, fresh or salt. They consisted of fine material resulting from erosive action. They were usually stratified, and were the most fertile of all soils, because of their fineness and division, and the fact of preparation from water containing the more soluble ingredient of the soil or rock areas over which they flowed qi through which they permeated. Air. Loten then proceeded to deal with the composition of gravel and sandy soils. The latter, lie said, were most useful for propagating fine seeds, nursery works, and striking 'cuttings. • They did not cake alter rains, but allowed the fine roots to penetrate with ease, whilst the plant food and lnoi,stare they contained were .given up at once. Clay soils contained at least 60 per cent, of clay, with varying proportions of sand. They frequently formed valuable and productive soils suitable for growing wheat, roots, clover, and grasses. Other •classes of soil were then dealt with, the composition and use. of each being explained, and Air. Loten concluded a most interesting lecture by some remarks on the uses of soil generally^ In the evening Air. Loten addressed a. meeting of teachers at the Atntawliero School, and will deliver s lecture on elementary chemistry at the Gisborne School at 11 a.m. to-day.