The Cecil Whig., 1874-05-23
M'Mke 8att.t.
Lime and Clover as Fertilizers.
BY JAMES ATLEE, ESQ.

Experiment has fully demonstrated
the beneficial effects of lime as pro
moter of the growth of vegetation
but the results of its application have
been as diversified as the circumstances
and conditions of the soil to which il
has been applied, and many fail to real
ize their expectations, either from q
lack of proper application or from the
condition of the soil being such as to
admit of its only dispensing part of its
properties as fertilizing agent. We
find from analysis that lime, in some
of its combinations, forms constituent
part Of nearly all plants, but varying
much in quantity in different plants.
BY direct absorption, it is necessary to
the perfect development of vegetation
Its chief office, however is in its assim,
ilating the properties already in the
soil to the plant Vegetation lives
only on digested or decomposed food,
in the form of liquids and gases. The
soil may contain all the constituent
elements of the crop intended to be
raised, and yet they may not be in a
condition to be appropriated Most
soils contain carbonates, sulphates and
phosphates of potassium, sodium and
magnesium, in combination with silica,
in the form of earthly rock, feldspar,
&c, but in such condition as to be
absorbed only as they are slowly de-
composed by exposure to the gases of
the atmosphere and the rays of the
MANY of tho G.
tilizers make fair showing by analy-
sis, and do contain the elements which
should sustain the plant, and yet they
may be in such combination as to prove
inert, on account Of their insolubility
This is one of the beneficial properties
of lime. 1t breaks up these combina-
tions and forms new compounds which
are more soluble, and are thereby made
available nourishment This result of
lining is more perceptible on land con-
tanning humus or vegetable mould,
which is converted into plant food
Under certain circumstances the use
of lime may be detrimental When
brought into contact with ammoniated
fertilizers it decomposes hydrochorate
of ammonia, setting the ammonia free,
and thereby causing a loss of one of
the most valuable stimulants of plant
growth. 1t also reduces superphos-
phate of lime to phosphate, thereby
rendering it insoluble. Hence, we find
superphosphates and ammoniated fer
tilizers do not act well on recently lined
lands. We would not advise, therefore,
the composing of lime with stable ma
nure, hen manure, or other fertilizers
rich in phosphates or ammonia. We
have, nevertheless, an antidote for this
trouble which should always be resort
ed to when loss is likely to ensue from
this cause. Plaster (sulphate of lime)
and salt Chloride of sodium) absorb
the ammonia set free, and form sulphate
of ammonia and hvdrochlorate of am
monia, which are soluble and in condi-
tion to be returned by the rain for the
use of the crop. 1t would be we'll to
state in this connection that this is the
real benefit to be derived from plaster,
(Which is but different form of lime.
Not being of high value as fertilizer
in itself, but having an affinity for am
monia-which is very volatile and lia-
BILE to be lost by evaporation-it lays
hold upon it as it passes from the de-
composing vegetation in the earth, and |
also absorbs that which has escaped, |
and is returned by the rains, and is
thereby brought directly to the fountain
from whence the plant draws its nour-
ishment. l would advise, therefore, a
more general use of plaster, or plaste
and salt, to be sown on top Of tho
ground, especially where amp oniotad
fertilizers have been used, also - ba
sown on barnyards and ir. stables and
chicken houses, to saw, the ammonia
which otherwise wou' d escane
A solution of cGpperas (sulphate of
lron) VIII answer the same purpose ap-
p.eo 10 si'oe.yles, and is one of the best
u.slnfectants for cellc.rs and out-houses.
But we derive rJther beneficial effects
from lining By breaking up these
combinations in the soil it renders it
more friable and easier penetrated by
the atmosphere and warmed, and in
this condition it absorbs the moisture
more readily, and is less liable to suffer
from drought. From these thoughts
we would conclude: First-Tbat but
small quantity of lime is requisite, in
dependent of its action upon and in con-
junction with other constituents in the
soil. Second-That lime applied to
land destitute of humus or vegetable
matter makes available the inert prop
critics in the soil, acting as stimulant
to the crop, and leaves the land in
depleted condition. Third-That only
in combination with the mineral consti-
tuents of the soil that are available,
and such vegetable and animal matter
as may be supplied, can its full benefit
be secured.
This brings us to the consideration of
the second point of our subject-the
action Of lime upon and in connection
with clover as the best means of fur
nishing the requisites of complete
fertilizer. Of all plants none seem
more dependent on lime than clover;
and it will not grow on land destitute
of lime We find by analyzing ash of
clover that of its inorganic or earthly
parts there is twenty-five per cert of
lime, twenty-seven of potash and soda,
six of magnesia, three of chlorine, f.
Of silica, twenty-five of carbo-' We
six Of phosphoric acid nic acio'
cent Of sulphuric !" and three per
Thus we .cld
soda pr see that lime, potash and
n, ..edominate largely in the earthly
....rt of clover. The carbonic acid is
supplied by the atmosphere in abund-
ance. From the peculiar habit of the
clover plant, it draws its nourishment
from sources not available to other
plants. Its fibrous and deep penetrat-
ing roots search for food to depth not
attainable by other plants, while its
numerous and broad leaves drink in its
organic constituents from the atmos-
phere, shading the ground from the de-
composing rays of the sun, and concen-
trotinp moor tho curfape mass of those