The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-12
Lime as n FertiIizer--Culture and
MANAGEMENT of small Fruits.


Management of small Fruits.
Among the papers read before the Poto
mac Fruit Growers Association mesting il
March, was one by Prof. T. Taylor, chair
man of the scientific committee, upon
LIME
with valuable and interesting experiments
practically of service to fruit growers, show.
Ing its combinations and application tc
agriculture.
He commenced by stating that pure
lime was the oxide of calcium, metal
and constituted what is known as caustic
lime; by exposure to the atmosphere il
becomes carbonate of lime, by the absorp-
ton of carbonc acid. When sulphuric
acid comes in contact with it, it becomes
sulphate of lime, or plaster of paris.
Caustic lime is valuable when properly
applied it neutralizes all free acids, sweet
ening the soil it decomposes all vegetable
and animal matter, and may, therefore, be
employed to advantage in preparing muck,
crude, peaty, and other vegetable matter,
such as roots and woody fbres for fertiliz-
ing purposes. Albumen of the juice of
plants is rendered more fluid by the pre-
sence of very dilute caustic lime water it
may assist in the circulation, but an excess
of caustic lime will coagulate albumen,
and indeed very good cement is formed
by the combination of quick-lime in excess
with albumen. This explains how the
application of caustic lime 10 excess
destroys young trees and plants when
applied to the roots, or even when brought
in contact with the tender bark The al
bumen of the sap is rendered solid by con-
tact in excess and which he proved at once
by an experiment Quick lime, when APP
piled to manures, combines with organic
and other acids, lberating ammonia, and
renders the soluble phosphates insoluble,
destroying to the fertilizer. On the other
hand, the application of quick lime in
moderate quantities to the flesh of animals
may prove Of great value, by causing
gradual decomposition. A solution of
common salt in contact with the lime will
in this case prove valuable, as the latter
will absorb the ammonia, but we're sui
pilates added to the lime, its active decom-
posing power would be retarded. Caustic
lime should never be added to fertilizers
containing free ammonia, but to substances
holding potential ammonia it may be
added;with advantage in limited quantities.
Bones. Fresh bones contain oil or fat,
and may be considered as a compound of
carbon and water. They also contain nj
trogenous compounds. A piece of bone
no larger than boys marble has been
known to remain in the soil for twenty
years without contributing corresponding
ly, phosphates on ammonia by decomposi-
ton. The oily condition of fresh bones
protects them from atmospheric and acid
action but by boiling bones the oil is re-
moved, and when subjected to the action
Of dilute sulphuric acid, portion Of the
lime combines with the acid and super
phosphate of lime remains. By the action
of atmospheric influences the heterogeneous
portions is converted into ammonia
When caustic lime comes in contact with
carbonate of potash or soda in the soil, it
converts these mild carbonates into caustic
potassium and SODIUM, respectively, and
these in turn become more active as solv-
ents of vegetable aud and animal matter,
and become themselves plant food when
highly diluted, and are therefore valuable
as fertilizers.
The subject Of
CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF SMALL
FRUITS
having been introduced, the following re-
marks were made by Professor w. Sann-
ders, Of the Agricultural Department:
The principal points leading to the sue
cessful and most profitable culture Of the
strawberry are
1st.. Select soil rather inclining to
clayey character, sandy soils not being
well fitted for the best culture of this
fruit. A properly prepared clayey loan
will give the finest fruit. 1t may be
deemed unnecessary to repeat that q
deeply-worked, mellow, clean soil is essen
tial to success. The best preparatory crop
is potatoes, as this crop leaves the ground
loose and comparatively clean.
I'd. Plant as early in the spring as the
soil and weather will permit, and be par
ticular that the plants are pressed firmly
in the soil, and also that no portion of the
center bud or crown is discovered this
is very frequent cause of failure
Sd. Allow the plants ample room for
growth, the rows from thirty inches to
tuTeo iect apart, tHo IODuSU-SrOWlng SOrtS
requiring the latter distance, half this
space will be sufficient between the plants
in the row.
4th. The summer culture consists in
keeping clear of weeds, which includes all
runners issuing from the plants; these,
when not wanted for purposes of propa-
CATION are to be considered as weeds and
should be removed as fast as they appear.
1t is not possible that plant can produce
number of runners and at the same time
furnish an equal number OF fruit buds, as
compared with plants from which the run
ners are carefully removed. All cultiva-
tion so far as stirring the soil is concerned
should cease by the first Of October SO that
the surface roots made after that period
may be preserved, and, unless weeds are
very numerous, the soil should not be
again disturbed until the crop of fruit is
removed.
9th. The plants should be slightly pro-
tected during winter thin covering of
clean straw is best. Towards spring this
should be removed where it covers the
foliage, drawn into the space between the
plants where where it will serve as a
and to keep the fruit clean. Even the
.nct ILL