Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1852-10-27

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Sulphuric acid, and
! bushel of plaster.
In the II bushels of ashes there would be
found some three bushels of lime, in state
equally as well adapted to all the purposes of
vegetable wants, as would be any other kind OF
lime, whether burned from shells or limestone,
saying the one or two per cent of phosphate,
which are found in shell lime, and that would
be found in ample quantity in the bonedust,
besides the quantity existing in the ashes
LINE AND ITS USE IN AGRICULTuRE.-Limei is
one of the most abundant substances in nature
usually as carbonate, consisting of 562 parts
of carbonate, and 421 of carbonic acid, in 100
of the mineral. In burning, the acid escapes in
the form of steam. 1t is then quick lime. Af-
ter exposure to the atmosphere, it absorbs wa
ter, Stacks and falls into an apparent dry powder;
it is then hydrate of lime, and is in the form in
which it is generally used for agricultural pur-
poses. 1t is the most valuable, when used di-
rectly after it has fallen into powder. If long
exposed to rains and dews before being spread
upon the land, it loses great portion of its fer
tilizing powers, which principally consist in its
action upon vegetable matters, causing them to
\ decompose, and in Its neutra.izing power upon
acids, which abound in some soils.
The quantity Of Lime to tie 4cre.-In Great
Britain from 100 to 400 bushels are applied at
once, at intervals of zen, fifteen nineteen years
the term which leases run. In this country,
the most common practice is to apply 80 or 40
bushels once in three years, which is the prefera
bic mode We have seen it applied with good
effect, however at the rate of 800 bushels to the
acre. This was upon very stiff, cold clay
Three hundred bushels would be about ten tons
to the acre, Ten inches depth of soil would
weigh about 100 tons. That would give one per
cent of lime. A case is reported in England, of
soil upon which 100 bushels of lime had been
used being analysed, which apparently contain
ed the same component parts as that along side,
which had not been lined for great number of
years. Yet the lined land produced twenty tons
of turnips to the acre, while the unlimed portion
only produced two tons, tops and all. This was
upon red sandstone land. One of the effects of
lime is, it gives the soil power to absorb ammonia
from the atmosphere, and retain that which is
disengaged by the decomposition Of vegetable
matter and manure in the soil. Hence the i'm
portance of applying lime with green crops, or
using coarse manure with the lime,
Indications Of acant Of Lime IN tie Soil may
be seen in heavy crops of straw, and light crops
of grain; and in root crops where they seem to
run to fingers and seed. Experiments should be
made by every farmer with lime, upon various
crops in all his fields tc ascertain whether lime
would be beneficial to him. Very few places
will be found where it will not be so.
To apply Lime to the Soil, spread it evenly
upon crop of clover about to be plowed under,
or SOW it upon the surface with the wheat and
harrow thoroughly. It should never be combin-
ed with manure, unless the whole is Immediately
| plowed in.
To vbat Soils is Lime 4pplicabIe3-Every
clay soil, every peaty SOIL and every soil in which
vegetable fibre does not readily decay, because
that is a sign it contains some anticeptic acid,
which prevents decay. This is the case in peat
beds and swamps. Sandy or thin soil may be
overturned and injured; because, in causing the
decay of vegetables, it sets free the ammonia
the very substance of fertility required. Topre
vent this, more food must be given for the lime
to act upon. No farmer, who knows what the
action of lime is upon all soils, will ever do with
out it, as an accessory to his manure. II is a
componentpar of all crops grown by the farmer.
When applied to land which has not borne wheat
for many years, it has at restored it to fer
Utility for that crop. Where it has failed once to
remunerate the farmer using it, it has proved of
the greatest benefit hundred times.
Use Of Lime 1cih PeGt.-The slow decompo-
sition of Peat is an objection to its use. By the
term, we mean all swamp muck partaking mere
or less Of that character. All peat contains re-
sinous matter, which prevents decomposition
BY adding lime, the resin is combined and forms
soap, and the fibre then decays as rapidly as any
other vegetable substance.
Lime IN the SoH.-Many farms which once
piON"CCu SOOu SlOljo vi huCdG DCIt'"SN 'AiNAN
was lime enough in the soil to supply the requi-
site quantity to the grain, have ceased to be pro-
ductive. They still produce large growth of
straw, but not remunerating crop of grain
In some instances, such lands have been restor-
ed to their former utility without applying
bushel of lime. Do you ask how? Simply by
blowing deeper. In the hard, untouched and
exhausted subsoil, there was plenty oflime lying
hid, which only wanted stirring up and expos
ing to the action of the atmosphere, and bring
ing within reach of the roots Of the plants, to
produce the same effect originally derived from
the top soil before it was exhausted. Our con-
slant advice viii be to use lime, pillow deep, sub
soil and drain stiff lands, increase your crops,
and grow rich, which you will do if you read
and heed.-The P2oac
How to raise Sir Tons Of Hay per dcre.--lt
was stated some time since, at meeting, at the
State House, in Boston, that in Massachusetts,
they had raised tons Of hay to the acre. The