The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-09-06
dhe 9aruler.
CAUsTIC AND MILD LINES
Elects on First Crop after Application.

several years aneltereu IRON urenehlng rams, |
lime becomes carbonated ormild to the extent |
Of about three-fourths-thA is, under these
conditions il loses about three-fourths and re- |
tnina indefinitely, one-fourth of its oriainal al
kaiinity. On the contrary, il drenched with |
heavy rains, il absorbs more water than acid, |
forms hard Jumps Of hydrate (caustic lime) and
retains greater degree OF cansticity. for |
much longer period. If mingled in the soil
with other mineral substance and decaying
vegetable matter, il facilitates their decoanpo-
sltlon, and IS itself decomposed and rendered
mild In short time. This action in the soil
results in freeing some Of the constituents Of
decAying matter, rendering them soluble, and
the formation Of combinations with other
constituents rendering them soluble and avail.
abla to plants Lime dec0mposes the snIphate
Of iron in peaty soils, forming sulphate oflime
and oxide Of iron, rendering the sulphate Of
iron harmless and useful where il is otherwise
destructive to plants In deeomposine the
salts Of iron, the lime combines with the acid,
forming gypsum or plaster.
On certain soils il has been found that the
hrst year 8 growth OF clover always did well,
and during the second year after the roots
penetrated TO the suhsoiI it ALWAYS died away.
The salts Of iron existing in the subsoil de-
stroyed the plants as soon as the roots reached
i. Prot Johnston says "a dressing Of lime
viii bring such land into wholesome state
without other aid. Lime frees the alkalies
las potash and soda in barnyard manure, and
renders them snbservient TO the use Of plants;
and itself combines with the silica, forming
silicate OF hme, which is slowly decomposed
BY carbonic acid existing in the air and arising
from decaying vegetable matter. II nentrai-
ICES injurious vegetable or other acids in sour
soils, on the chemical principle that alkaIies
IN general neutralize acids when brought in
contact II Is this continual action Of lime
IN the soul resulting In decomposition Of itself
and other substances, that soon renders all
lime MIDI in The soil, in whatever state It may
have been applied.
In the open air it becomes earbonated by
the direct absorption of carbonic acid from
ne atmosphere. This Is interfered with by
the absorption at the same time Of water from
the air, which forms the hydrate. These two
INSCRIPTIONS seem to cease when the affinity Of
the lime for carbonie acid and water becomes
equal, which appears to account for the fact
that lime has never been known to lose all its
aikaiinity or canstie properties, however long
exposed to the alr. For the purpose of fur
mshing plant food to the succeeding crop, il
IS not only useless but destructive to applx
lime in its extremely eaustie state, as fresh
from the kiln. II ought TO be as mild az pos
sihle to make il before placing on the soil.
It's application In unequal quantities mot
evenly dlstributed) and in the caustic state.
has created doubts with some as to its benefits
to TIE succeeding crop, and with others
whether it IS not absolutely pernieious.
1 have never known case in which the
need Of lime was indicated and its application
made IN the mild state in fine dust, inter
mingled thoroughly in the soil before plant-
ing, or in the drills with the seeds. where 4
did not manifestly enhance the crop to which
i was applied. | have never known the sue
ceeding crop increased by its application in
the canstlc state OF fresh burnt lime, but MANY
IN which i resulted injuriously, not only to
the succeeding, but TO many following crops.
tnill It assumes comparatively mild form IL
2 useless as plant food, and mischieyous TO
the crops. One example Of this is found in
the experiment conducted by Mr.. Fleming
near Paisley, in Scotland, in 1892. This
experiment was, among other things, 10
ascertain whether quick fresh burnt) lime, or
Carbonate tmild} lime, &C., could be econo-
mlcaily used to snpercede farm gard manure.
The mild lime, costing one dollar lin federal
money! including hauling and applying,
increased the crop ofbulbs, topped and tailed,
$3.50 pounds per acre. Caustic lime, costing
Three dollars, dimimshed the crop 1870
tr'f.tft,tHF anu H31 III NblHt OF UUTu~VNTu
manure Including hauling and applying. in.
creased the crop only eleven Der cent more
than one dollars worth Of mild, spontaneously
siaked lime, thus proving it more economical
than barn manure. The dollars worth of |
mild lime increased the crop 1850 pounds
more than nine dollars worth Of quicklime, |
SCOT and snlphate Of ammonia 9, ] IS pounds |
more ss,an four dollars worth Of ouicklime |
and salt mixed, three months old; $500 |
pounds more than six dollars worth Of wood
ashes; ESQ pounds more than six dollars |
worth Of SCOT; 4, $40 pounds more than twenty. |
five dollars worth Of bone dust, and 4.4SO |
pounds more than three dollars worth Of |
gypsum or plaster. Prof. Johnston (Agricul- !
ture Chenistry,l in reference to this expert |
ment, says:
''The Immediate effects Of lime applied in |
these two forms were very different--thec aus- |
nc lime lessened the turnip crop, while the |
carbonate increased i by A tons. This effect |
TIC state taking from the soil the carbouic and |
other organic acids from which the roots. IN |
the early infancy Of the plant, would have de-
rived uouEishment, and thus retarding and
auntng their growth AT all events, the ex-
pertinent indicates that lime ought to be in
the state Of caFbonate--the mild state-more
o. less entirely to benefit the crop 10 which il
IS spilled
Whether this idea be correct or not, is a
matter Of minor importance to the practical
farmer. The truth Is well established. not
only with respect to the turnip crop, but 70 all
other crops % he fed BY lime, and the farmer
who does not court disappointment should
govern himself accordingly. | know very
Intelligent writer's in your columns have even
recently suggested that canstic lime ID more
soluble and nssre readily assimiiated BY the
plants, and therefore preferable as plant food.
= may well be admitted that eaustic lime is
more soluble, without going of into supposed
theories opposed to faets IN reference 70 is
effects
We Farmers accept theories so Ear as they
afe derived from and consistent with facts.
An else we were taught at old field schools 70
reenrd as speculation.
Prof Johnston explanation, il true, may
Be regarded Is a theory founded on q truth.
ihe other although true in itself--as specu-
lasions involving opposition to facts. VT