Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-08-03
Lime as n Nj Il nure.

Mr. R. Gordon of Gordonston, Aber-
deems hire, Scotland, writes on this topic
us follows, in the North British Agricul-
turist:
Lime is one Of the most important
natural manures we possess, and the vau Z
of Its application to the soil has been
known from very early periods. The action
of lime a. a manure is entirely regulated
by the form and manner in which il Is ap-
Piled to the soil. Quick lime should be
used Tor heavy and tenacious sols as well
as those containing a fair quantity of vege-
table matter. On the other hand, if the
SOL be light and friabe, with little vegeta-
ole matter IN It, caustic lime would in such
case Go more harm than good. Mild
lime ought to be used, treated with
mixture of earth. and exposure to
the atmospheric air, from which it
taAes carbonie acid, which takes away
a great deal of i caustic properties
The different circumstances and cons
dltlons of soil Will not allow uniform
practice to be adopted but judgment and
experience ought to regulate the applica-
ton Of all manures. Every farmer should
study his own SOIL and thereby be wo Id
be able to avoid the misapplication of good
manure. Before the introduction of arti-
hclsl manutes, lime Was more universally
used than now, which helps to account for
the poor crops Of clover, and the difficulty
OF raising good turnups. 1t is essenti lily
necessary that suE ply of lime should ex-
list in the soil to meet the requirements of
the various crops. Every cultivated plant
needs supply of lime for the proper
building up of its Structure, and, in cCm
blnatIon with phosphoric acid, lime forms
large portion of the skeletons of the ami
mails who feed upon the crops. A soil may
contain large supplies of every ingredient
which crop requires, and still be unable
to yield them to the plant, they being N an
inactive state, as 1t Is only that portion OF
| the soil which is soluble in water which is
available as plant food. ANY analysis of a
soil which only tells lis composition, is Of
little value unless it can show the Give
matter ready to be taken up by the crop.
Lime acts upon the dormant matter in
| the soil, and performs the important fumes
| ton of rendering these active. Clay soils
generally contain within themselves pot
ash and soda, and we know by experi-
ments that lime liberates these inorganic
elements. According to Professor Ways
| lime helps to form valuable ella Of salt,
| known as double siicates or Alumni
| viii, b has the power of absorbing ammo
| Mia from the atmosphere. Lime neutral.
| ICES the acids in the soil ana sweetens the
heritage. besides supplying food for the
| perfect growth of the crops It is thought
| by some to be a wastetul practice to allow
| lime to come IN immediate contact with
farm yard manure, thinking it would cause
a loss of ammonia; but they overlook the
| controlling Influence consequent upon the
action taking place in the soil. The action
| OF caustlc lime upon a mixture of farm
yard manure and decayed organic matter
produe es most valuable fertilizer, viz ,
| nitrate of poia- b. Lime, besides being a
plant food, and bringing into useful condi-
ton the several organic and Inorganic mat
tiers IN the soil, also improves It's physical
character, rendering stiff and tenacious
| clays more friable and easy to work.
however, tie use of lime renders a supply
Oh other manure necessary, and under q
COCO system of husbandry the increase of
crops Will increa the quantity of manure
laklr g into account the various functions
IL perio. ms 1t Is one of our best natural
manures. However it cannot be expected
to produce its full effects Immediately aftel
being applied.