The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-06-09
Ghe 6armer.
Mineraland Atmospheric Plant-FOod
Written for the Democratic Adrocate
By PROF. J. D. WAKEFIELD,
OF THE Maryland AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

OF THE MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
l come now to the subject of lime,-a
subject that has been the fighting ground
between the practical farmer and the theo-
rist, for ages. Not only do farmers differ
but chemists are still not settled in their
conviction of its value. The questions for
discussion to-day, are: Is lime indispensa-
bic to the fertility of the soil If so,
what form is most effectiye2 How much
ought to be applied? Ought lime to be
applied in large quantities, at distant in
tervals or in smaller quantities, more fire.
quently repeated? lastly, what are the
uses and effects Of limef IshalI endeayor
to discuss these questions according to the
best light We have on the subject.
Lime constitutes about one-seventh of
the entire rock of the earth. Hence, it
cannot be universal. There are rocks
which contain no lime, as felspar and SER
pentine rocks, which are barren. Trap
soils, on the other hand, derived from de-
cayed basalts or green stones, are rich and
may be used as mari. We know that all
or nearly all cultivated crops require lime
as a mineral element. Hence, it must be
Indispensable and there will be failure
where lime does not exist. But this is
not its only use. 1t is medicine as al
teratiye as ealomel, and it converts sour,
bilious soils into healthy ones. Entering
the soil, it finds there certain elements,
which are not available to the hungry
plant. 1t breaks up their combinations
forms new ones and pours its soluble food
into hungry mouths Every body knows
that lime gives tone and body to sandy
soils whilst it renders stiff clay soils more
porous.
The following are the combinations in
which it exists in the soil As chlride of
calcium, it is very soluble and is easily
washed off by rains. The sulphate of lime
or plaster is not abundant but is frequent
ly applied on clover. The phosphate of
lime is the peculiar combination found
in bones. 1t is generally present in
small quantities but needs to be watched
carefully. The silicate of lime is only
found in trap or granite rocks. The car
Donate of lime is more universal, and con-
stitutes the great bulk of limestone rock.
Different varieties Of this carbonate, give
us not only quickli.ne, but marble. With
this combination we build up our farms
with the phosphate, We build up our bodies
Out of lime, our aching bones in these
tenements of clay have sprung; out of lime,
colossal edifees, beautiful in their marble
wilderness, stand as enduring monuments
to man. Now, as to the quantity neces-
sary, it is safe to say that in soils where
there is no lime, and it can be tested by
any farmer, by pouring muriatic acid upon
the soil. If lime be present there viii be
an eterveseence. If there be none pre-
sent, large quantities will be necessary to
distribute it thoroughly through soil six
inches deep. A heavy clay soil requires
more than light, porous one. On wet
and marshy soils, still greater quantities
may be safely used, for the reason, that
continual evaporation keeps such soils so
cold hsat lime, in smaller quantities, fails
to make the necessary changes in the
character Of the soil. Where there is too
much water, lime viii be converted into
mortar and will fail to produce any bene-
hciai results. Many farmers put il upon
the land in this mucky state and still
claim that they have lined the land. It
would pay US all to build sheds where it
may be Stacked by water or air into the
requisite condition Of fneness. It should
be as fine as powder. A lump Of lime,
thrown upon the soil will only reach a
certain quantity of surface; pulyerize il.
and it will occupy ten times the space.
Lime may be abundantly applied wherever
the soil is rich in vegetable matter. Its
the province Of quick lime to convert this
vegetable mould which has been borrowed
from the soil, into humic acid, which
unites with lime to give food to the plant,
Should lime be frequently applied ?
There are many reasons why lime should
be frequently applied. 1t is heavier than
the soil; it sinks to the hard clay subsoil
and Is lost to the plant unless the subsoil
pillow be used to allow the roots Of plants
to feed upon it; it is washed of by constant
rains. Its principal work, after changing
the unavailable compounds into available
plant food, is to hasten the decomposition
Of vegetable matter. This work Is done
on the surface and hence lime must be
kept on the surface by frequent, though
smaller applications. II has been asserted
that the waste Of lime and other plant food
in the production of crops, is a hundred
times greater than that used by plants
On many bill sides this may be true and !
hence we must return the loss. The Eng
fish farmer now gives a light dressing !
every year to his grass lands after harvest. !
just here let me add, that the farmers of /
Maryland are beginning to establish a GUS
tom OF putting lime upon their cornfelds
lust before, or after planting the same.
The practice seems to have grown from
aeoessity rather than choice. Il Is not
The best plan by any means and should not
be eHeonfaged. Line upon the grass sod
Is the place and time for its application.
From many portions of our State, we
hear i said that lime is producing no per.
eeptible change Ia the soils. AZ fine
hastens the decay Of vegetable matter. IL
cannot fail 10 DO beneficial ia presenting
available plantfood wherever vegetation
= luxuFiant Without vegetation. lime /,
,anuoEsnpply all the food needed by plants
md hence il may possibly fail 70 show !
narked benefits upon soils constantly !
ropped. Given 10 the soil in the form Of :
uieklimes II converts decaying vegetable :,