Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-04-10


compound is called the hydrate Of lime. and
is The condition in which freshly applied
lime exists in the soil, when spread and
incorporated with it. Alter . ,ime.-how'
ever, 1t gradually combines with carbo"'c
acid. forming an imperfect carbonate and
i, is The alternate absorption OF carbonic |
acid and other gasses, and their relinquish. |
ment to :he demands Of growing vegeta- |
ton. which, in the yet unsolved mysteries
ofagricultural chemistry, is deemed one
of the mos, beneficial results OF the action
of lime.
Lime is direct food 10 plants. consti.
,uling a par, Of the ash Of all but it is
found in much greater proportions in some
than in others. 1000 lbs. Of dry pea
straw, sainioin, red and white clover, each
contain from 20 to 80 lbs. Of lime, while
lucern has nearly so lbs. Every other
cultivated plant requires a considerable
quantity Of lime to mature and perfect it.
But in addition TO this. and its aid in bring.
ing the gases l,he organic portions) TO We
getables. it greatly facilitates and disPoses
those chemical changes in the inorganic or
earthly parts Of soil, which are so essential
to furnishing the plants with oil they may
require.
Line serves the further purpose of alter
ing snd improving the mechanical texture
of soils. Its greater density ard weight
induce its settling through the adhesive
masses Of clay soil, thereby opening them
TO The Tree admission of air and moisture.
Where these lands have been underdroined
and the suosol plow has been used. the
application Of lime is invaluable. The ad-
dtion Of moderate quantities Of manure on
fields thus prepared, insures prolonged ef'
fec:s. When applied to light and sandy
soils. with the addition Of vegetable ma
nures, lime compacts and renders them
more adhesive. The manures, roots ol
grasses, &C., are thus combined in fine
mould on the surface. forming q proper
conductor and radiator OF heat, an absorb
ent Of moisture. and the mos, appropriate
bed for the roots Of plants. Lime seems
to exer, q further. and most improving e!-
feet in both clay and sandy soils by indu
cling those chemical combinations in their
constituents, which tend materially to cor
reel their inherent defects. By rendering
clays more porous and friable, and sands
more adhesive, their mechanical texure
is made to approximate a, nearly as pos.
sible, towards the perfection Of each. Il is
used with great effec; on rea!y soils, as il
hssteDs the decomposition Of the vegetable
matter. and diminishes its porosily and
sponse-like texture. thereby rendering ii
less absorbent Of wafer in excess. which is
one Of its greatest faults. For euch soils
i, ought always to be applied in ito caus'ic
condition, as quickiime.
Lime acts favorably for vegetation. BY
correcting the acidity Of the soil. It moi
only combines with and neu,ralizes mosl
Of The acids found in soils. or that find their
way in them from springs, but it also de-
composes ard renders available for the
wants Of plants. many substances which in
their natural condition are really noxious
10 them.
| Lime decomposes the inert vegetable
substances in the soil, and converts them
into an immediate and appropriate food fol
the crop. 1t is in consequence Of this ia.
vorable action and the large increase of the
crop thereby secured, that the vegetable
manures, and SO much OF the mineral ele.
ment as are required by plants. are speed
lily distracted. The consequence is, tha,
deterioration Of the soil inevitably follows,
unless other manures are added. The
lime simply enables the soil 10 yield in q
lew years, what would otherwise require a
greater number. But these augmented
crops furnish The means of perpetual and
increasing fertility, even if part only Of
the excess beyond the ordinary yield. is
appropriated for this purpose.
~, is essential to the favorable &C.
lion Of lime, that the soil contains a full
supply Of regeiabIe mailer and when
the lime has been applied in excess, or it
ceases TO act. more vegetable matter must
be added. The efIec, Of lime is not per-
cep,ible in the soil the first season il is ap.
Piled, and its full influence is seen only az.
ter the second or third. Its effect is great
es, when KEEP, near the surface.
New Mode Of Raising Wheat.
An experiment has been tried in Iowa,