Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-09-01

eohposI HeapS, InuS ollcflhS JOOu 10r ready
absorption On this account, too, the longer
it has been in this state the more fcrtilizing
it becomes. 1t may be added also, with ben.
efical results to composts Of fresh animal
matters, as it 80 controls the fcrmentiug pro-
cess as to cause the valuable elements to form
compounds which are not subject to cvapora-
ton, while, if lime had not been present, these
same elements would have entered into com
binations which are highly volatile and liable
to escape: it should never be mixed, howcv-
er, with animal manures which are already
dccon,poscd, as it cxpcls the gaseous fcrtili.
zcrs existing in the mass before the lime is
added. When properly compostcd with veg
etablo or animal matter, line may be, applied
just as any other rich manure directly to the
growing crop whether it be tender grass, or
clover, or grains of any kind but if it is to
be applied in the condition Of slakcd limo it
will not produce its full effect at once upon
the soil, and, therefore, os long an interval as
possible should intervene between the plant.
ing of the crop which it is intended to bcnc-
fit-as, for instance, in the carly fall for the
benefit of winter and spring grain.
Some authorities, as Warnings Elements
OF Agriculture, and the American Muck
Book, by Browne, with much pluusbility,
containing moro valuable qualities, both for
manuring and digcsting, than lime ITSELF
This mixture is obtained by slaking fresh
burnt lime with water thoroughly saturated
with salt, using the materials in the proportion
of three bushels Of lime to one of salt.
The lime decomposcs the salt, giving us
chloride of lime aud carbonate of soda, both
valuable agents in promoting the fertility Of
the soils. 10 secure the more perfect com,
bination Of the lime and salt the brine should
not all be applied at once, but at intervals of
day or two, in order to give time for the
changes to take place moro thoroughly and
even after tie s'aking is completed, ten or
twelve days should capse before the mixture
is used. There can be doubt Of tho value of
this compound, especially in eases where salt
would be desirable manure on its own ac.
count
For evident reasons lime, when intended
to benefit tho land generally, should always
BE- e9sr,, 9s evenly dist'ib9teA and as thoronghy
should not, however, be ploughcd in very
deeply as it has naturally constant tendency
to descend in the soil and because, also,
while near the surface, it is more easily reach
ed by tho nr, which is essential to those d.
gcstivc functions which constitute its chief
value.
When quick lime is added in large ouon.
titles to soils naturally wet. and which have
not been sufficiently drained, the lime may
form into mortar, and become hardened to
such degree as to obstruct the free passage
of water and air, as well as the roots of the
plants. UndCr such circumstances, of course
the lime would be an injury, and the remedy
for the evil, thorough draining. On soils
which arc light, dry and poor in vegetable
matter, heavy application of lime would
also prove Injurious by rendering the land
too open, and by its chemical effect causing
the crop to "burn," as it is called. In each
of these cases if the liue be added in we'll
composted st'te, all the evil consequences arc
at once avcrted, at the same time that addi-
tiona supplies Of warmth and nourishmcnt
arc given to stimulate the growth Of vcgcta.
ton. Indeed, the opinion is maintained by
some that lime may be indefinitely added
without injury, provided VIC, at the same
time, proportionally increase the organic Gle.
mcnts of the soil Whether this be correct
or not, it is certainly true that what is ordi
narily spoken of rs the cxhausting effect of
lime, is only the effect of the larger crops
which it causes the soil to yield, and which,
VI Couino, IcuuiSo H'oIo w t'c oIcihcHtS vi
the soil for its growth and maturity-wh
is needed under such circumstances is not
less lime, but more organic food. 1t fire.
qucntly has happened that even so valuable
fertilizer as lime has been wholly abandon
Cd in particular localities in consequence of
unskillful applications, or hasty differences
from partial experiments. Of course where
nature abundaptly supplies tho soil with this
important element, artificial additions would
be waste of time and money So, in like
manner, when lime is applied, as in some
parts of England, ut the rate Of from 40 to
80 bushels to the acre at the end of each ro
tation Of crops, embracing n period Of 4 or S
years, it would be no argument against the
moderate use of this agent, if after lapse Of
years, these large additions should produce no
sensible effects whatever in consequence of
the soil having become fully saturated. And,
again, the time which is required for uncon,.
posted lime to take its effect upon the soil is
fruitful source Of discouragement and often
abandonment of this valuable fertilizer. An
experimental farmer, reporting his results for
the first year writes, ~ applied 100 bushels
(of lime) to tho acre on corn stubble and
planted again in corn, but saw very little prof.
it to tho crop" In reference to tho same
soil md the Same lining at tho end of the
third year no w,ites: "For the past two sea-
sons have moved the finest ofgrass." Lime,
though most efficient and valuable fcrtili.
ger, Is slow In developing its finest results
indeed it scarccly exhibits fully its true char
actor, unless when applied in the eompostcd