LIME AS MANURE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2094, 25 March 1889, Page 2

LIME AS MANURE.

The valne of lime as ■ a manure or dressing for agricultural lands is well understood and appreciated m the Old Country, and as more scientific farming comes to be practised m the colony the use of this heartener of the soil will become much more general than it is at present. Already many of our best farmers m various parts of the colony are resorting extensively $o its' use, and the advantage of being within easy diet tance of a limekiln are amply demonstrated by the following remarks m the Millburn letter of a contemporary : — '' The crops here are this year more than usually luxuriant, and I am told they compare favorably with those m most of the districts of Ota go. The farmers of this neighborhood have of late been pitting considerable quantities of lime on their land, The proximity of the kilns makes it comparatively easy for them to procure this powerful fertiliser. During the last nine months great quantities of it have been carted from the kilns for agricultural purposes. Luxuriant grass, grain, and root crops coon tell the passer-by where it has been applied . The agriculturists here all seem agreed that it is the cheapest manure they can put on their ground. The crops and improved prices have already somewhat brightened faces that have of recent years been a little saddened by the prevailing depression." We may add tjiat we have information to hand of similarly pncpessfal results of the use of lime on farms m this district. Last year Mr John Hood, of Mount Bomers, experimented on some of his land, upon which he bas this season grown a crop pf oats, dressing part with lime, at the rate of 2£?cwfc to the acre, and leaving part of the paddock undressed. The result was most conclusive, the crop on that portion treated with lime yielding 10 bushels to the acre mow than that which was not limed. So thoroughly satisfied is Mr Hood of the beneficial result* of the use of lime that he intends to dress 50 acres tbis year, and Eeveral of our leading farmers are following suit, one having already entered into a contract for the supply of 100 tons, and several others for 50 tons i each, /is the season has now arrived for preparing the ground for next year's j crop it might be well for farmers generally to experiment m this direction, more especially for wheat crops, there being every reason to beUeve that the results will prove satisfactory.