The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-08-19
RgFs.iE ECO.sW.NI.
From the Farmers Cabinet.
APPLICATION OF LIME TO SOIL.


Lime has long been regarded by farmers,
~ certain sections Of our country, and cul
tvating districts, as a most valuable agent.
Suti aud tenacious soils are greatly benefit
ted by its application, as II is admitted BY all
who cultivate them. Whether the various
chemical influences, which have been as
signed TO It's presence, are really those which
constitute It's virtue, shall not enquire ~
this ESSAY propose merely to submit some
views that have occurred 10 me, which the
PLAIN practical farmer can fully appreciate,
v;ihou, the aid of chemistry or science, or
their ,cchnicalities.
Clays and red shell soils are compact and
tenacious, and are, therefore, greatly bene
fitted by an admixture Of lime, as they are
rendered more mellow or fiiable, by rs ap
plication the color Of the soil is also chang
ed to a dark brown, and has a rich, oily
appearance. These combined influences,
give 1t greater capacity for lmbhiug beat
from the action Of the sun, and this addi-
tional heat communicates an increased veg
etative power; besides, the improved fra
billiy, or mellowness Of The soil, give great.
er facilities TO the lihfous roots of plants, 10
shoot further into it, and hence they obtain
a larger supply OF nourIshment or food. Its
capacity for absorbing moisture, is also
greatly Increased, because. for the reasons
above stated, the plastic properties Of stiff
soil, are removed, and moisture, either FROM
rain or dew, is more freely admitted and
absorbed and having penetrated deeper in
10 the soil, is retained. as if by sponge,
for longer period. Farmers, who are "a
nliar with stiff soils, know foil well, that
they will not ADM, heat, nor absorb mos.
,ure, so readily as those which are lighter,
and the latter do not bake, aud become so
hard and dry as the characteristics. a
purely clay soil is always cold al shor,
distance below The surface.
Such soils, so improved, have increased
capacity for lmbibing heat, from the action
Of the sun BY dav; ard this heat IS main
tanned for logger period at night; aud
hence, protracted evaporation or emission
Of beat IS secured, which, acting upon the
cool atmosphere Of night produces great
er amount Of dew. Tue soil, j., therefore,
rendered capable Of creating larger SUD
Dis Of moisiufe--of imbbing more heat,
and OF receiving and retaining those agents
of vegetation alternately, for more pro
iracted period. Dews arc occasioned by
cool atmosphere coming IN contact with the
exhaa,ions from the heated earth, or vice
versa, and hence o condensation OF the
aqueous particles tbe dew drop oflhe even.
Ing is first seen upon a bade Of grass Of ifs
highest point.
Hea, am hs sture are necessary TO vege
ia,lou, a. ''e more YOU can obtain Of these
agents Tor yo9r plants, the more vigorously
sIll vegetation be sustained. Lime, when
applied 10 a stuff soil, ra n, i more frabIe,
porous or mellow, and becomes more ca.
sy to cultivate tie Igh does not meet
With the same resistance; the roots Of the
erase and weeds are more easily separated
from the soil, and may therefore BE- more
readily destroyed and thorough ull3ge or
pulveriza'ion Of the land is thereby great
is facilitated. Besides, We find thai vege
talion IS most vigorous where soil IS adapt
cd 10 secure the largest amount Of these
Supplies aud consequently, that soil, which
BY nature o. cultivation, is capable Of in
blbing and retaining he largest amour! 81
these Indispensable elements, has The great.
es, capacity Cor producing vegetation. 4
sandy soil appears too porous, "a retain heat
at night, 10 promote toany important extent,
a condensation Of the atmosphere, and thus
supply Itself with sufficient moisture from
dew-besldes, il Is too readily droined ;
While a clay or compact soil, becomes lnde.
rated upon lis surface, uHd heat from the
sun cannot sufficiently penetrate il, to be
available for ike purpose bot when these
are properly mixed, and combined with oh
er earths, such as lime, mail, or with ma.
nure, the soil opens is pnres, to receive The
ngigoraling Influence Of the sun, during the
day, and at night, the heated exhalations
escaping from it, producing greater
amoGn Of dew, supply The plants, nestled
10 is bosom, with necessary moisture, from
the pure and bounteous fountains Of the at.
nosphere.
Some farmers think that lime is injurious
10 wheat land--that It makes the soil cold,
and that their lands, when dressed With il,
are more opt to produce milde~ed grain
than they were before It was applied. That
this, IN many instances, has appeared to be
20, do not d0ubl, because tbs soil, By u.
application, is rendered more productive,
and therefore We have more grass, which
under our presen. system OF sowing grass
seed With aheat, IS injurious 10 that crop
IS have commended Ia q former paper,--
rull, in hts excellent Treatise On Blight,
says, !. Wheat being Doubtless originally a
native OF hot coaatry, il requires by IFS
constitution a considerable degree Of heat
TO bring II to perfection aud If much Of
/ that degree Of heat Is wanting, Il will be
! the weaker, aud when the solar rays cannot
reach the lower parts Of tic stalks, the low.
est leaves and knots cannot do their Office !,
and hence the maturity Of the plant is pro
[ lsscted, because the lower parts Of the
stalks must receive the greater share beat,
I bolpg nrarEr the mint Of incidence OF tho