Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-07-27
AGRICULTURE.

APPLICATION CT LIMF. Thousands of
bushels of lime are annually thrown away
by improper methods Of application, Every
farmef Is believer In the benefits derived
from lime, and even ON limestone lauds It
is used with advantage. AS all plan
contain more or less lime It not only serves
as an IN portant element of food but In
some sections It's use is an absolute nccessl-
~. 1t may be safely said that all SOILS
contain some lime, Lime in the soil, being
principally in the shape of carbonate, Is
little influenced by the action of rains.
When limestone is burnt 1t merely loses its
carbonic acid, and when we slack 1t with
water the lime urites with water, which
cryssalIlzes and forms hydrate of lime.
After awhile, by attracting carbonic acid
from the air, the lime becomes again car
Donate, and is then IN the same condition
as before burning that is, 1t has become
once more limestone in fine condition.
Lime is often bought and Stacked, and
then placed aside until some convenient
time arrives for putting it on the land; and
as the process of Stacking is considered an
ordinary occurrence it is sometImes done
calelessly. When it is ready to be broad
casted it generally goes to the field in
Jumps or in the shape of fine gravel. The
farmer who knows how TO use lime is very
careful to apply the lime, il possible, as a
fine powder, for then the benefit from Its
application is more direct; it reaches every
part, and less quantity is required, which
amply repsys Tor the labor of preparation.
Clover, peas, beans, potatoes, &C., are lime
plants, and we can account for the bench
clal effects of plaster (sulphate of line) by
knowing that it is slightly soluble In water,
and every ram dissolves portions of il, thus
furnishing ready lime food. The freshly
Stacked lime when IN the shape cf n.y.
drate Is also dissolved by water, and Gs its
effects are not only shown in the growth
of the crop but also as a chemical agent in
the soil, the advantage OF using judgment
and care in its preparation and application
can be seen at oDce. In the first place, IN
Stacking the freshly burnt lime too much
water should be guarded against. Use it
spariugly, as the lime will become finer,
and contain fewer Jumps. After the lime
is dry every bushel of it should be sifted,
Jumps broken and the whole mass brought
to fine, powdered condition. Applied in
such fine condition, time will convince
the farmer that the labor expended Will be
as nothing compared to the difference be-
tween the lime in that condition and when
in lumpy or gravelly state, The tenden.
cy of lime is downwsrds in the earth, for
the rain always takes with it mere or less
lime whenever it fails, and the kinds of
lime most subject TO the action of moisture
are those that are IN the finest possible
state of division. Hard Jumps that have
reverted TO limestone are almost useless,
and their application is extravaganza. 1t
is admitted that there are unseen and often
unknown agencies that work even upon the
Jumps, but the processes are slower and
less certain THAI when by little care the
lime Is broadcasted over the soil in fresh,
pulverZed condition.