The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1857-10-17
agricultural.
From Norton's Elements Of Agriculture. ~
LIME AND IT'S APPLICANT ON TO LAND,

LIME AND ITS APPLICANT ON TO LAND.
Lime is ordinarily found IN the form Of COM
mon limestone. or carbonate Of lime, COM
bination of lime with carbonic acid. L very
l00lbs of pure limestone contains about 44lbS
of carbonac acid gas. This may be driven off
by a high heat, as in the lime kns. The
lime then remains in what is called the caus-
tic state, or qmcklime. 1t will burn the tom
que, ifappled to it. When water is poured
upon it (this may be shown by cachers,i it
sHells, cracks, heats, and finally crumblcS to
fine powder If the water is only used in
sufficient quantity to slack the lime,lt will all
disappear, being entirely absorbed it has in
fact united with the lime, and become part
of the solid stone. The heat during Stacking
is caused by the chemical union of water and
lime. A ton Of limestone uniteS with about
one fourth of ton of water.
lfquick lime is exposed to the air it grad
ualy absorbs albonac acid andif left
long time, becomes nearly all carbonate once
more. If piece of quicklme be LIFT exposed
in this way until it has crumbled it will cf-
fcrvesce again with muriaiic aid, as the
limestone did before it was burned, thus PROV
ing the fact Just stated.
Lime is applied to the land in the three
states above mentioned: qucklime, hydratc
or Stacked lime. and air-s!acked or mild lime
so called because it has lost its caustic pro-
peities. 1t is better for the land in all of
these states than it was before burning has
reduced it to an extremely fine powder. more
fitted to be dissolved in the soil. and to be
taken up by the plant. From the varions
tables already given, 1t is obvious that lime
is an absolutely essential ingredient in the
soil, being constantly needed by plants; but
besides this, it performs other functions there
of scarcely less Importance, differing accor-
ding to the state in which it is applied.
IL the soil be stiff and cold. if it is newly
drained, containing much Of acid organic
compounds, or if there are tough obstinate
grasses to eradicate, such as bent, etc. it is
best 10 apply quicklime. or the causlic hyd-
rate. In either of these conditions it has a
most beautiful and energetic action tighten
ing and melowing stiff clays, neutralizing
and dccomposing injurious acid substances
and extiIpating many hurtful grasses and
weeds.
If caustic lime is applied largely to light
soils. it may do harm by TOO rapidly decorn-
posing the organic matter usual scarce in soils
of this description. In all such cases, and
generally when 1t is not wished to produce
such effects as the above, mild or air. Stacked
lime is the best.
The action of all varieties is invariably
more marked permanent upon drained or thor
oughly dry land, than upon that which is wet
and swampy. All of these various states of
lime act not only upon the organic matter
In the soil. but upon the inorganic a so. de-
composing certain inSolube compounds, and
bringing them into a state favorable to the
sustcnance of the plants Thus we see that
this manure performs many most important
functions.
1t has 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 suhsoll: this may be brought up by deep
ploughing. Or is made available by drairs,
which permit the roots to go down. When
applied as top dressing, it should in almost
every case be mild, and also when used in
composs. where much animal manure is pre-
sent. The reason why precaution should be
used in the latter instance is one that has been
ALLUDED to before, in speaking of lnanures
containing nitrogen. In all such cases, caustic
lime causes formation of ammonia from the
nitrogen, and consequent escape of it into
the air. Where much lime is mixed with the
manure, its depreciation in value is very rap
NV OWING W us FSS. w ilcIc lheTe is lltle OF
no nitrogen present, and it is desired to de-
compose peat, or to rot heaps of weeds and
turf the cauStic lime Is to be preferred as its
action is so much more energetic.
1t is now considered the best practice to
apply lime in rather small quantities. and Of
zen, as then it is kept near the surface, and
always active. Where it Is bought, lime
| should always, if possible, be in the state of
ouicklime, as in that case there will be Meth
or water nor carbonic acid to transport In
100 lbs. of carbonate of lime or common
limestone, are 44lbs. of water in 100 lbs
Of Stacked lime, about 25 lbs of water, so
that the saving in both instances by carry
ing quick lime is considerably.