The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-02-01
lor the earmers.
From the Soil of the South.
The use OF Lime rs a Fertilizer

The use OF Lime Us Fertilizer.
We are reminded by letter recently re-
ceiyed from subscriber in Lownles county,
Georgia, that we had omitted (unintentionally)
to answer some inquiries propounded by him
self as to the application of lime. The
manner of using, how. when, and in what
quantities it should be applied 2" We learn
that these lands produce corn very freely, but
not cotton-and that it's with hope to cure
this defect thu, the inquiry is made. The time
of application for this purpose should be, we
would say, when the first preparations are made
for planting the crop; and this should be done
by sowing the lime broadcast upon the land,
that il with all its vegetable matter upon the
surface, may be turned under, and incorpora-
ted together. The more vegetable matter, the
better for the action Of the lime; and this
ought to be done in the fall, if possible-if
not carly in the winter. The quantity to he
used is so dependent upon the character and
situation of the land, that it would be imprac-
ticable to give any definite instructions which
would suit all cases. The necessity forts use,
as we shall show hereafter, rs well as the bene
fits to be derived from its application, are va
ried not only by the character of the soil, but
Z by the situation, as to its wetness or dryness
These are all to be taken into the account,
and we know not that we can render better
service now than to lay down general princi
Piles for the government of our correspondent
leaving him to make the application, and
learn, by few tests, for himself the doses
which his fields may bear-adyising in the be-
ginning the use of small quantities, say from
one to three bushels to the acre, and increase
the quantity asi may be ascertained to be
necessary. This is perhaps the most judcious,
and learn The safest method of procedure,
even when the requisite amount which the
9 lands will bear is well ascertained by analyti-
cal examination. Begin in smaller quantities,
and add more in subsequent years. So lit
tie has been done in Georgia, in the use of
lime as fertilizer, and with our varying and
peculiar soils, climates and crops, we shall
have, by actual experiments, to find out for
ourselves much of what may meet all these
demands. There are, however, some general
principles which we give, by which to guide in
its use. Lime is considered to be an essential
ingredient to the perfect production of all
soils ! being constantly needed by plants in all
their parts, and performing other functions of
great importance-such as Tightening and mel
lowing stiff clays, neutralizing aud decompo.
sing injurious acid substances, and holding in
solution much valuable food for the plant 1t
exists in three forms, quick lime, hydrate or
Stacked lime and air Stacked or mildiime A
distinguished practical chemist says: g IF the
soil be stiff and cold-if it is newly drained
containing much of acid organic compounds,
or if there are tough obstinate grasses, it is
fba l,,
drate. In either of these conditions it has q
most beneficial and energetic action. If caus-
tic lime is applied largely to light soils, it may
do harm by too rapidly decomposing the or
ganic matter, usually scarce in soils of this
description. In all such cases, and generally
when itais not wished to produce such effects
as the aboye,fmild or air Stacked lime is the
best The actionrof all varieties is invariably
more marked and pernanent upon drained or
thoroughly dry lands, tbahgpon that which is
wet and swampy. Ali theseyarious states of
lime act not Only upon the organic matter in
the soil, bu, upon the inorganic ako--decom-
posing certain indissolubIe compounds, and
bringing them into a state favorable tothe sus
tenance of plants. Thus We see that this ma.
nure performs many most important functions.
"It has a constant tendency TO sink in the
soil; and in one that has been heavily lined
for many years, quite layer Of it exists in
the subsoil. This may be br"ugb; up by deep
blowing; or is made available by drains, which
permit the roots to 90 down. When applied
AS top dressing it should almost every case
be mild; and also when used in compost where
animal manure is present.
As we have space and opportunity we will
make such extracts as may throw light upon
this subject. We hope that our railroads. so
largely interested in the Increased agricultural
products of the country, may find it to their
true policy to transport this valuable article
to the planter at a nominal chargc-and that
we may soon learn to apply it so as to iInpart
new fertility TO our tired fields. We are glad
to see this question exciting interest and want 10
hear that those regions in which mari is abound
ing are learning to know it, value, and will
soon he prepared to report the bcS: method OF
its use and its benefits.
Soil ANALYsrs.--A writer in the Harnp-
shire and Franklin Express, published at Am