Importance of Lime.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 111, 30 November 1908, Page 3

Importance of Lime.

Lime may be said to be th" leavening or"enlivening element in th,' soil., for if "this constituent is lacking, no crops can be successfully grown, no matter what care may be taken in the tilling and, no matter what other fertilising constituents may be applied. The effect of lime is threefold- -nourishing, chemical, and physical. 1. Its nourishing effect Lime is absolutely essential for the growth of plants; without it no crop can prosper, although the requirements of the different crops are very different. Leguminous plants of all kind are specially exigent for a liberal supply. By an application of lime, soils unable to support a crop of clover Tnay be brought into a condition to grow a plentiful one. Potatoes, roots, and fruit trees also require a soil well stocked with it; indeed nearly all plants exhibit a strong, healthy growth in soil where lime is present in a plentiful supply, assuming the other plant foods to be also in abundance. Under its influence the plant develops more powerful root growth, more silid structure, and greater capacity to withstand disease. Fodder crops produced in lime-rich soils contain better nourishing qualities than crops grown in lime-poor soils.

2. The chemical effect of lime.-- The soil is sweetened by application of lime,. The mineral food constituents in the soil, such as potash and phosphatic acid, are rendered more quickly available by its action, and it causes a more rapid decomposition of the organic substances by encouraging the activity of the bacteria. Soils that, in consequence of sourness, are unable to grow satisfactory crops, are soon changed by the action of lime into a healthv condition.

3. The physical effect of lime.- The physical and mechanical condition of soils is improved by applications of lime; it makes the soil looser, warmer, and more friable, more easily tilled, and not so liable to crust on the surface. Cold stiff clays are wonderfully improved by its action.