Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-06-10
English farmers are aware Of the benefit
of potash and are shipping il from this

of potash and are shipping it from this
country. We had best retain our potash
Corn will neither grow on heap OF
muck nor in bin of ashes. But when
these are composted. they are fitting for
vegetation. We find here the benefit oil
compromising manure-matter.
Lime has been spoken Of in connection
with compost. 1t has been largely used
in this country and Europe; yet all farm
'ers do not agree upon its value. by
some it is considered of little or no value.
Those who have been successful in its
use have used the right kind on soils de-
feient in lime. Those who have been
unsuccessful have used the wrong kind.
magnetism, or on soils abundantly sup
piled with lime.
Some complain that the good effects OF
lime are not continued. But why blame
the lime? Other materials have been
withheld. and lime alone depended on
Salt is good for cattle, but why ieed them
wholly on it. Lime furnishes but one
clement while dozen are required
When lime is to be slaked for manurial
use. dissolve one-third as much salt as
YOU have lime. Then you have two elc~
ments OF plant food. chlorine and sodium.
Thus slaked and composted with muck
lime gives valuable manure. When
lime is Sown on the soil it should be
mixed with six times the amount of muck.
Then it falls more evenly on the soil, and
will not, in places, form mortar inJuri-
Gus to plant roots. On clay and sandy
loans, not on pcaty land, this compost
form will be very beneficial.
Lime should not be compostcd with barn
manure. rs it is hastily decompoSed, and
the gasses cannot be held but will pass
off into the air. Never put lime in con-
tact with barn manure without good ac-
compartment OF muck leaf mold or vcge
table matter. Lime should be applied TO
the suriace-neyerp lowcd in-as it sinks
in the soil; and the action OF line is in
considerable on organic matter in the alb
sencc of light and heat.
Air permeaies the soil, but light is con-
fined to the surface. The suns light is
wha, effects nearly all chemical changes.
Therefore all manure should be kept near
the surface of the soil
Clayey soils contain. or rather hold, Il
large amount of potash which may be re-
leased by lime and become food for plants.
Therefore It is more profitable 10 apply
lime TO such soil Lime is great reno
vator OF old grass lands. II is impossible
70 procure ashes enough for this purpose;
but lime can be had in any amount tor the
quarying and burning, rs Providence has
variously disposed limestone over our
State. Lime is best for low, clayey
ground, while ashes are best FOR higher
lands. 1t should be mixed with five times
the amount OF line, rich soil.
DIR. Garcelon. nj the Farmers Conven-
ton at Lewiston, related, At length, his
great success in reclaiming worn down
grass lands He had made an abundant
application of ashes, lime aud plaster 10
old grass fields with great success and
ploii, He had claycy land adjoining Il
meadow. which had courage 10 bear
hardly any vegetation. BY blowing and
manuring with lime and ashes, it bore Il
good crop fine herds grass. He could
not recommend too highly the application
OF ashes, lime and plaster to lenovate
grass lands.
There is one all-important idea associa-
ted with this matter of rcnovatiug grass
lands The farmer should not lose sight
OF il. Grass lands once renovated are
renovated forever Return the whole hay
in manures and the crop cannot detcrio-
rate. Let the farmer adopt thi, rule, to
regencrate one acre year by the use Of
artificial or manufactured nanures, and
in 4 few years his whole farm will be
rcgcueraicd. Ii may be ever kept up 10
he same point of fertility 10y returning all
that is taken from it.
SEARs-l.ewiston Journal.