Soils, analysis of, etc — About 200 samples of soils taken from the surface from 6in. to 18in. and from 18in. to 36in. deep were examined for salt by the Government Analyst (Mr Mann). The tables of the analysis cover five sheets of figures, which, if attached to this report, would serve only to confuse readers, and probably leave a wrong impression. I will, therefore, endeavor to summarise the results of the analysis and make clear the position. A complete analysis of samples 1 to 30 was made and the results briefly put are: Not rich in humus, well supplied with lime, well supplied with potash, weak in nitrogen and phosphoric acid, as are most of the Western Australian soils. proper farming and manures will make good the above. In these samples salt was found, so it was decided to test all other samples (170) for salt only. Here are a few remarks about salts in soils will help readers to understand what is to follow concerning the particular soils in question. I make no apology for the length of these explanations, because the subject is very important and great issues are at stake. Tolerance of Alkali Salts by Plants — By alkali salts in agriculture three substances are most commonly understood. These are common salt (sodium chloride), Glauber salt (sodium sulphate), and carbonate of soda (sodium carbonate). The latter is commonly known as in America as salsoda and, when in the soil, black alkali. In addition, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulphate, calcium chloride, and others are included as soil alkali. In addition, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulphate, calcium chloride, and others are included as soil alkali salts, but the subject is sufficiently complicated if we confine ourselves to the three first mentioned. Everyone knows that an excess of the above salts in a soil is injurious to plants, and if the percentage exceeds certain limits the plants are destroyed. One is often asked how much salt may a soil contain and yet grow good crops. This question is by no means as simple as it looks, because it usually happens that the three salts under consideration are found in association possibly with others. The proportions of each will vary so much that it is probably impossible to decide to what extent each one is responsible for injury. The farmer knows that soils are derived from the decomposition of rocks, and anything which the soils contain, apart from the organic matter, must be found in the rocks from which they are derived, although usually in very different chemical forms.