Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-12-19
Agricultural Repartlneut,
LIME.

There is no fertilizer known to us that
has proved SO valuable as lime, when we
consider the permanency as we'll as the de-
gree of improvement it has wrought. Gu
ano, though wonderful in its effects upon a
first crop, especially il, it be crop Of grain,
passes away with that. Plaster is expec-
ted to act upon the intermediate crop of
clover, and one bushel per acre seems to an
swer as well as FIVE. 1t is then seen no
more, except indirectly by the improve
ment the clover causes. In ground bones
we have slow but more permanent action
the cost, however, of sufficient dressing,
is far beyond that of full supply of lime.
We are speaking, now of course, of what
we know familiary by the term lime. Ashes,
though valuable, generally are costly, and
hard to get at any price. Lime being fur
nished at price which makes the expense
per acre small, and being very accessible,
has been extensively used, and if somewhat
less prompt to show its effects than some
others, is so permanent as to make it very
popular with those who look for substantial
results in improvement. ~!
Acting we'll, generally, where it has not
been previously applied, cases often occur
in which it seems to be inert, and it is diff
cult, perhaps impossible, to determine by
any outward signs, on what soils. it is like,
lily to fail. Such signs as the growth of
acid plants, sorrel, briars, pine bushes,
have been suggested as indicating the ab-
sence of lime. The growth of these were
supposed to be the result of peculiar acid
in the soil, and from this inferred presence
of acid, it was further inferred that lime
was deficient. The first inference has been
proved to be an error, and the second falls
with it. Chemical tests of lime are readily
applied, and where they show extreme de-
fciency, there is no doubt, the application
would be advisable. But it would very Of
ten happen that such test would indicate
quite sufficient supply for the mere food
Of plants, and further dressing would still
be found useful. There is no way of deter
mining such cases with certainty but by
careful experiment. On some soils, the
application is much more profitable than up
on others, and this is to be determined, too,
only by trial.
Experience has shown that it usually acts
we'll on soils which are sandy, when sand
predominates. 1t has the peculiar effect of
making them more compact giving them o
closcness and consistency very different
from their original state. This is especial
|ly the case when it is used in combination
with other manures, and the growth of
grasses. 1t has the effect, too, of adapting
such soils to the growth of grass, causing
red clover to grow luxuriantly, when pre-
viously it was impossible to get a "set, and
bringing in the natural growth of green
grass and white clover. We have seen such
ground changed into good wheat soil, and
produce very heavy crop of grain.
DR.. Darlington, Of West Chester Penn
'sylvania, where the use of lime has been so
long familiar, acknowledges its beneficial
effects on the lighter soils, but says that it's
meliorating properties are most conspicuous
in clay soil, or rather in a stiff loan. On
this class of soils it has just the contrary
tendency of breaking down and softening
their rugged properties. 1t renders them
more friable, less liable to be injuriously
acted upon by the sun, and much more read
lily permeable, by the gases and vapour of
the atmosphere. The West Chester farm
ers think that a good proportion of unde-
composed vegetable matter adds greatly to
the beneficial effects Of lime; and hence are
desirous of mingling as much barn yard ma
nure as possible with their line dressings,
and to get their fields into what is called a
good sod or turf, full Of grass roots. Then
a dressing of lime has an admirable effect.
DR.. D. says further, that soils which have
a natural growth of blackjack, walnut, and
poplar, and those in which grasses best
flourish, are, generally, most signally bene-
fitted by the use of lime. 1t is found, how
ever, in that section, more or less beneficial
on every description of soil, but most 80 on
|hilly or rolling land where clay predomi-
mates.
1t is matter of surprise to what degree
opinion has varied as the quantity to be
applied per acre. In England and Scot
land the practice has differed from one hun
dred to four or FIVE hundred bushels. The
larger quantities doubtless are only admis
sible on heavy loans, and in connexion with
heavy manuring. In this country the best
experience does not justify an application,
on medium soils, of more than forty to fifty
bushels to first dressing. On light and
thin soils with little vegetable matter twen-
ty-fve to thirty bushels may be quite e.
nough. Such dressing may be repeated
advantageously after four Or five years, and
in even increased, as the supply of turf Or
other vegetable matter shall increase. The
prevailing practice in some of the most ex-
perienced lining districts, is to plough
down the sod in the fall or early in the
spring, harrow at once, and then spread the
lime, previously slaked to q powder, prepa-
ratory to planting the field in Indian corn.
Every field in rotation receives this kind OF
dressing, and it is repeated every time it
comes round for corn. If the rotation EN-.
braces six or seven years, some farmers
make an intermediate application on the sod,
and find material advantage in it. Indeed
the method of applying on the sod, and al,
lowing it to lie year or TWO before being
ploughed, is much preferred by many.
When used in this way, it IS commonly put
on in the fall-say in the month of Decem'
ber.-Amersean Farmer. ..E- ...
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