The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-01-11
agricultural.
ACTION OF LIME.

We extract the following communication upon
this subject from the Southern Planter, Richmond,
Va. 1t is from the pen of 4. G. Rufin, Esq
Some years since, l made application of 30
bushels of lime to measured acre of land, by
way of experiment. This similar i'll
quality and character to the rest of the field, the
whole being what is termed a clay soil The
field was put in corn and followed by oats and
wheat but no beneficial effect was discernible upon
either of these crops. Indeed the whole seemed
to be .ather injurious than otherwise; and the
remark may be extended to the three years it re-
manned in grass. When put in corn again, how
ever, this acre could be readily distinguished
by the greater luxuriance of the growth, and
tt; luxurianee was maj tained throughout the
season. This singular and unlocked for result,
after lapse of six years, led me to institute
a series of experiments to ascertain the precise
mole of action of lime. With this view seeds
of wheat, and of other plants were terminated
upon cotton in glasses of water-and when of
sufficient size, transferred, half of them;
to glasses containing pure water, the other half,
to glasses containing water in which lime in its
different forms had been dissolved. From these
experiments, it appears that lime in any other
form than that of neutral salt, rather retarded
than promoted the growth of plants. This result
seemed to account for the uniformly beneficial
effect of lime in those countries where it exists,
as natural ingredient of the soil. and the ques
ton now presented itself why should its action
be so different upon clay and sandy soils when
arti6cially applied?
While rejecting upon the subject, it occurred
to me, that the difference might safely be refer
ed, in the first place, to the entire change of
properties occasiOned by the process of burning;
old combinations being thus broken up, and new
affnities evolved. And in the second place, to
the opposite chemical relations of these soils in
vitng favorable direction of these new afini-
a.. 70 avbibif clobt
alkaline reaction, and hence it may be reasonably
inferred, that in these soils afinites of the
Lime will be expended entirely upon the decom-
posing organic remains; and so long this pro-
cess continues, there must necessarily be a con-
flict between the vital powers of the plant and
the chemical action of Lime, both contending for
the same element-carbonic acid; nor will this
contest cease until the Lime has returned back
to its natural, or original state,-that of a neu-
trail salt. In the instance which has been men,
toned of the application of so bushels to an
acre of clay soil, it would seem 10 be fair in
ference that the unfavorable direction of the new
afhnition continued for period of six years.
On the other hand, Slick which is the base of
sandy soils, exhibits an acid reaction and hence
it may be supposed that in these soils the af
fnities will be, to considerable extent at least,
diverted from the organic matters, and invited to
the slick or silica acid thus forming a salt of
lime which is perhaps more generally useful than
any other OF this fact, the old walls Of buildings
furnish this striking illustration
Influenced by the foregoing views, it has been
my practice to sow Lime upon the wheat field at
the rate of six or eight bushels only per acre. the
aim being to secure what [ term its physiological
in contradistinction to its chemical action and
am satisfied it is the best mode soils of which
the predominant ingredient is clay. Thus APP
piled, the effect is generally visible in the
improved color of the plants. and permanently
healthful green will always insure yield COM
mensurate with the fertility of the land. The
remote effects are recognized in the gradual d.
mnution of the sorrel and running brier, and a
corresponding increase of the clover family.
Becoming infected with the guano fever, my
experiments were suspended, much now to my re-
greet. They have, however, been again resumed,
and at future time | may perhaps be able to re-
port progress.
In regard to sandy soils, my endeavour would
be to secure both its physiological and chemical
action, and for this purpose, should think the ap-
plication of fifteen twenty bushels Per acre
would be an ample dressing for a rotation of five
or six years. 1t is we'll known that plants can
take up nothing except in the form of solution,
and we have abundant evidence going to show
that the effects of fifty hundred bushels of
Lime applied to an acre of land have been dis
tinctly visible for an equal number of years.
Hence it would appear that the quantity of rain
which falls upon of land annually, is not
adequate to dissolve more than bushel or two
of this substance. If more were dissolved,
plants would certainly take up larger quantity,
and the effects would necessarily be less perma-
nent.