Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-09-16
farmtr's Column.
SPEED THE PLoW."
Lime as a Manure,

A writer on this topic in the North
British Agricu7tarist says:
Lime is one of the most important
natural manuros we possess. and the
value of its application to the soil has
been known from very early periods
The action of lime as manure is en-
tirely regulated by the form and man.
ner in which it is applied to the soil.
Quick lime should be used for heavy
and tenacious soils, as well as those
containing fair quantity Of vegetable
matter. On the other hand, if the
soil be light and friable, with little
vegetable, matter in it, caustic lime
would in such case do more harm
than good. Mild lime ought to be
used, treated with mixture Of earth,
and exposure to the atmospheric ar,
from which it takes carbonic acid,
which takes away a great deal Of its
caustic properties. The different cir
cumstances and conditions, of soil
will not allow uniform practice to
be adopted; but judgments and eX-
perience ought to regulate the applica-
ton of all manures. Every farmer
should study his own soil, and thereby
he would be able to avoid the misap-
plication of good manure. Before the
introduction Of artificial manure, lime
was more universally used than now,
which helps to account for the poor
crops of clover, and the difficulty of
raising good turnips. 1t is essentially
that supply of lime should exist
in the soil to meet the requirements
ofthe various crops. Every cultivated
plant needs supply Of lime for the
proper building up of its structure,
and, in combination with phosphoric
acid, lime forms a large portion of the
skeletones of the animals who feed
upon the crops. a soil may contain
large supplies of every in 5redieut
which crop requires, and still be I'M
able to yield them 10 the plant. they
being in an inactive state, as it is only
that portion of the soil which is solu-
Bile in water which is available as
plant food. Any analysis Of sol
which only tells its composition is
of little value unless it can show the
active matter ready to be taken up by
the crops. Lime acts upon the dorm
ant matter i'll the soil, and preiorms
the important functions Of rendering
these active. Clay soils generally con.
tain within themselves potash and
soda, and We know by experiment
that lime liberates these inorganic /!
-tieme according to Prof. Way
lime helis to form a valuable class Of
salts known as double sillicates or
alumina, which has the power oil
absorbing ammonia from the atmos-
phere. Lime neutralizes the acids in
the soils and sweetens the heritage,
besides supplying food for the perfect
growth of the crops. 1t is thought b.
some to be wasteful practic to allow
- Il n -
with farmyard manure, thinking ii |
would causes loss Of ammonia; but they !
overlook the controlling influence conse
quent upon the action taking place. i'll
the soil. The action of caustic lime upon
a mixture of farmyard manure and
decayed organic matter produces ii
most valuable fertilizer, viz, nitrate CT
potash. Lime, besides being plant
food, and bringing into useful condi |
ton the several organic and inorganic
matter in the soil, also improves its
physical character, rendering stiff and
tenacious clays more friable aud easy
to werk. However, the use Of lime
renders supply Of other manure nee
essary, and under a good system of
husbandey the increase of crops will
increase thequantity of manure. How
ever, it cannot be expected to produce
its full effects Immediately after being
applied.