The value of mineralogical examination in determining soil types, with a method of examination and a comparison of certain English and Scottish soils

Abstract

Accounts have already been published by this department of investigations made as to the origin, nature and properties of the glacial drift soils of the north-east of Scotland; in particular, the soil as found at the Experimental Farm of Craibstone, near Aberdeen, has been studied by means of mechanical analysis and the determination of the chemical composition of the fractions resulting therefrom (4). The results obtained have brought out some characteristic features of the Craibstone soil, and have indicated that important differences may exist between a glacial drift soil, derived mainly from rocks of granitic nature, and such a soil as that of Rothamsted, arising from the “Clay with flints” formation.