Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-05-15
WEST BRANCH
fAGll]r3G}
From The AMtTStdn 1gT1cuHU'
Qualities Of Lime-N0. z.


property which is so essential to enable
i, 10 undergo in itself and effect in other
matter, those chemical and mechanical
changes before alluded to. The solven,
power Of wa,er upon lime is in the inverse
ratio of its temperature. AT 32.' wafer
dissolves l-656 Of lis weigh, Of lime a.
CO., l 77s and at 2l2,' lI27O; and
as the ordinary temperature Of water in
soils seldom exceeds CO., and frequently
Is neer 32,' ii follows that in his cond-
ion, i, acts with nearly lis maximum inf1u
ence on lime.
Another property Of lime. -c have no
doubt is true, though in the yet imperfect
state Of agricultural science, we are nc,
absolutely certain Of ii aad if true, il is
Of incalculable advantage in promoting
the growth Of vegetation and, that too
from The gra.u,ous supplies derived from
the atmosphere. When lime is mixed
with damp manure and rich vegetable
loan, in the shade, il condenses Iitric ocid,
which Immediately combines with the pot.
ash Of the manure, lcrca!2S nisra:c Of
potash tsalipeire.) fho. this operation is
going forward ia rich calcaret US soils,
hardly admits Of e doubt, especially when
shaded BY rank vegetable growth. and
occasionally stirred IN the process Of cu!
,ivniion. The value of both nitric acid
aud nitrate Of potash 10 vegetable nutrition,
has too often been tested to admit o. doubt
Professor Johnston in his ingenious and
valuable essay on lime, published in the
Highland Quarterly Journal Of Agricu.-
;ure, in which many Of The probable bene-
tcirl operations of lime are detailed, cor
robora,cs this opinion and attributes no,
only The formation Of nitric acid, bu, nm-
monia. also, " at the expense Of tie free
nitrogen Of the atmosphere, from the pres
ence OF caicareous matter in the soil"
There is a grea, difference in The value
Of the various Ilmesiones for agricultural
purposes. When burnt, some contain
considerable proportions OF phosphate OF
lime, The remains of innumerat!e iniusor e,
eoproli,es, and some species Of the coral,
the aggregation Of ages Of insect and other
animal remains, in the indefinite past.
Phosphate OF lime is the principal ferilising
material Of bones, and enters into the
composition OF every vegetable rs impov
t4nce must therefore be readily appreciated.
Apd this IS The reason why one species OF
limestone yields wha: is termed lime. but
which is really quicklime associated with
The phosphate, so much more valuable for
agricultural uses than others, which mp.
proximate more nearly 20 pure carbon
ale. Many Of the llmesiones Of Kentucky
and other parts Of The Union, and more
frequently the marls, yield larger per
ccn,age Of phosphate Of lime; and ~hercv-
Or such are a,,ainable. their application to
soils IS attended with the best results. The
yield OF fertile lands is augmented, and
the recusci,a;ion Of worn oul soils is speed
i'y accomplished whore such dressing is
n.ed. There are other limesiones which
yield only an impure lime, mixed with
considerable quantities Of other mineral.
or earth, Of no utility for agricultural! pur.
poses.
Oys,er..hell lime. or that derived from
other shell fish, both Of marine and fresh
water origin. is generally superior for ag-
ricui,ural purposes, 10 such as is derived
iiom other sources /; nc, only from lis
containing nothing but what is useful. bu,
especially as yielding a noticeable quantity
Of phosphate.
Magnetism lime has its value in agri.
culture. This is apparent from the anal
ysis OF the ashes of all vegetables. None
are without magnesia. Wheat contains
about 90 per cent. barley almost 9; the
bean and pea nearly as much, and their
straw and the cIovers and lucern, from 2
,o3.5. Besides contributing to The food
Of plants, its alkaline properties act on
soils and manures in a manner similar to
lime. but 10 a more intense degree.
Wherever applied, therefore, II mus. be in
quantity considerably less lhan when the
plre lime is used.
The effec, Of lime upon crops is 10 ma
iure them earlier. and give fuller, heal.
thier growth. The bes, sugar plantation
in Louisiana, which gives the largest ave-
rage yield Of sound. convertible juice, has
great quantities Of muscle shells, in every
siege Of decomposition, scattered through
out the soil. Wheat is found 10 be fuller
and heavier when grown on well.liIned or
calcaieous coils. The stalk is no; so liable
TO rus. ,ov midew, and il yields brighter,
c;eaner straw. The potato rot, which
has devastated no, only fields, bu, whole
countries, has in many instances, been
checked or wholly prevented by the Use Of
!ime. Lime seldom or n.ver does injury