The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-12
LIME IN THE GARDEN.
An Element OF the soil That Is Esse
tial to the Growth of Plants.

An Element OF the soil That Is Essen
tiaI to the Growth of Plants.
Lime is one of those elements Of the soil
which is essential to the growth of plants
and trees, and when it is properly used a
vast difference in the growth OF the vege-
tation is noticeable. All farmers and hor-
ticulturists use it in many ways, but it is
probably as often abused as used. The full
and direct effect of lime upon plants under
all conditions have not yet been fathomed,
bnt enough knowledge concerning its gen.
eral effects Is possessed for one to use it in
diligently on many crops. In the vegeta-
BILE garden lime is invaluable. 1t is the
best preventative and check for mildew on
cucumbers and diseases of potatoes As
soon as the cucumber vines show signs of
the diseases, the powdered lime should be
sprinkled over every part of the plants
that are affected. and the operation re-
peated after rain 50 long as there are any
signs Of the mildew. If one watches the
plants early in the spring, and applies the
lime as soon as the disease manifests itself,
il will never be allowed 10 make much
progress. but sometimes in the case of
plants being nearly dried up with the dis
ease, the lime viii give them new life and
growth.
Potato stalks are often dried and eaten
up by diseases, and this can also be pre-
vented by an early application of the pow.
dered lime, sifted over the stalks with a
fine sieve. The work on this crop. how
ever, must be done early. If the disease
is allowed 10 progress so much as TO half
eat the plants up, the powdered lime has
but little effect. If the disease has shown
itself in spots all over the field, it will nav
TO sprinkle the lime on all the plants, even
though no signs of the diseases can be
seen in many places. 1t will prevent q
breaking out in new places. Many potato
fields could be saved from partial or total
destruction in this way if the lime was
used freely early in the season.
Lime water is great disinfectant and
destroyer Of insect life, and 1t will be
needed In the summer time for MANY pur-
poses Caterpillers and tree grubs and
insects die before its application, and
many orchards are saved from great raw
ages by its use Gardens and lawns fire.
quently need 1t in the spring of the wear.
it should be sprinkled over the grass lawn
just before a rain so that the water will
soak ii into the ground. The grubs and
worms in the soil as a result VIII burroy
far down in the soil TO escape its destruc-
tive effects, or crawl rapidly up to the sur
face of the ground for air and sunlight.
The chickens should then be turned uDon
the lawn to pick up the dead or souirrning
| worms and grlhs. This is the most eff
feetual way of clearing grass lawns of this
| pest.
The flowers. plants and shrubs also need
lime water when infected by worms and
bugs. An application TO the gooseberry
and currant bushes will drive the bugs and
ants away, and a similar treatment of the
flowers will make the snails and bugs
stink away to parts unknown. If the APP
plication Is renewed occasionally the in
sects will continually avoid the shrubbery
thus treated. Sometimes the vegetable
garden is full of worms, slugs, grubs and
other destructive insects. IL is a good
thing then 70 work lime into the soil be-
fore the crops are planted, or mix il with
manure. Applied in this way it disinfects
the manure bsorbs waste matter. and
keeps the insect enemies away from the
plants.
In short. lime is an indispensable article
for the garden in the spring OF the year.
II should be kept on hand. ready for i'm
mediate application upon the first signs of
disease TO the plants. A free. intelligent
use of il will make better gardens. orchards
and nelds. Its use on the fences and in
the houses is no better or more practical
than its abundant use among the growths
of the farm and garden.
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