Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-03-12
FROM TuoMrY's REPORT FOR 1874.
USE OF LIME.


j The following is a condensed view of the
present state Of our knowledge on the subject Of
lime. as presented in the writings Of Rufhn,
+ I.iebig, Dana. Johnston, and others.
Il Byburning lime, both the caring and spread
i ne aboad, are greatly facilitated, as 1t IS re-
4 duced in weight nearly one half, and is readily
converted into an npalpable powder. Topro-
duce the later effect in the best manner, the lime
should be allowed to slack slowly, and not by
the addition of water Where a compost is
not made, perhaps the best mode will be, after
i determining the quantity to be applied, 10 cart
2 il out in heaps at the proper distances, and TO
1 cover these heaps with the soil 10 the depth oil
few inches, so as 10 protect il from the ram.
In few days il will be reduced to an impalpa-
bic powder. II may then be spread abroad al
ter mixing il with the soil which covered II.
It is not considered good practice to mix
!. lime with te7mentng nanures, asst decomposes
the salts of ammonia, which are then formed,
and the ammonia passes oil and IS lost; unless,
indeed, the head be covered with some sub
stance, such as clay or swamp mud, by which
il may be absorbed.
The quantity of lime to be applied, viii
very much depend on the nature Of the SOIL
Where the soil is acid, clsyey, or wet, more
may be applied than to dry or sandy soil.-
Other things being equal, the quantity 10 be
applied will very much depend upon the guam
tity of organic matter in the soil
In England, 800 to 500 bushels to the acre
are commonly applied, quantity that with US,
would be destructive. Doubtless, climate ex-
crcises much influence over the matter. From
thirty to fifty bushels of shocked lime may be
considered a good dose, and even ten bushels
has perceptble effect
fiction Of Lime. 1t combines with and
neutralizes any free acid that may exist in the
soil, and thus often converts noXlous substan-
ces into fertilizing products. as when sulphur
ic acid is converted into Suiphate OF lime or
gypsum. In a similar manner, II combines
with and neutralizes the tannln winch exists
in peaty and swampy soils, and which pre-
vents. by lis antrSoFuc properties, the decay OF
vegetable matter.
.. 1t produces what would seem to be mocha
nical effects on the soil, rendering stiff clay
land more light and porous, at the same time
that il has an opposite effect on the former than
the latter.
8. From its existence in all plants it may
safely be concluded. that it is absolutely neces-
sary to their healthtul growth.
a. II acts as a solyentln the same manner as
other alkaliss, rendering insoluble silcaies sou-
bic; hence its effects on clay. 1t aceelerates
the decomposition Of woody fibre, such as
straw. weeds, and dead roots, that remain IN
the soil. in a manner which, though not easily
explained, is not the less certain. II combines
with humus and other elements Of decay, rem
dering them soluble in water, and consequent
ly fitted for the food Of plants.
There are many other effects evidently grow
ing out of these, such as the eradication Of
weeds, and the increased value Of the crops, IN
consequence of their improved quality
A knowledge Of the action OF lime on yege-
table matter, ought to prevent the mistakes
committed in putting it in contact with the roots
Of plants, the delicate fihres Of which it must
attack, il there be not a superabundance Of
other vegetable matter in the soil. As lime acts
chiefly BY bringing into action ingredients that
Were inert in the soil, and as every crop car
ries off a certain quantity OF soda, potash,
phosphorc acid, sc III follows that unless these
BE- added, in the various forms Of manures in
which they exist, that a soil may be unproduc-
tive, although having lime in abundace. l
now speak OF lime, not mari, for in marling
many other substances are added, as well as
lime