THE USE AND MISUSE OF LIME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2742, 10 April 1916, Page 8

THE USE AND MISUSE OF LIME

; : _ There is a uso and a- misuse of lime; , tfc can be employed- legitimately |to insreaao crop production and'it can also bo so used that soil! impoverishment must 'inevitably follow.: It Las been . shown that lime and its compounds may . Ijerforin': many important''.functions, "in ... correcting in; improving tilth, ir. prompting nitrification;'nevertheless they are not fertilisers. : It is true they 1 ; may servo a useful purposo in 6ome soils by furnishing available lime, but they do not add to the soil's store of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash, {■''■ '."iiihe eseiitial elements- that must bo constantly returned.'if the soil's .fertility, is to bo maintained or increased. ; lime and its compounds are to he regarded as amendments, materials ■that' may improve the •: soil,and thus make it. moro suitable for crop growth. . . . .They pro not to .be considered or used | yv ■ aissubstitutes fjr manure, for drainage, [:)- or ,for . tillage.. The exclusive and ; ex- | ' ce'ssivo use of the more caustic forms t': ' .(quick; lime, slacked lime) must inevit- {• ■ ably .fed to' exhaustion "of fertility, for ...they afet.as stimulants, setting free but > not adding'to the. soil's stores of plant | , food. '• ../V.,: v ,-y.;, i.V . Tho use of the milder forms—marl, | . ground limestone—is not fraught with t .'v ihe samo.,danger i'hut ey6|i;;^th;^ws6"less;yaßive >: ; ((.;... terials,. it.'is inoumbent '• thafc- the isoil's ■ liumus cohtentfbe ,maintained^—"Caria--l «an Bulletin'. No. 80." ' i iv ".V — — ■ '■ '