LIME AND LIMESTONE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11652, 22 August 1916, Page 8

LIME AND LIMESTONE.

IN YESTIGATIONS BY GOVERNMENT CHEMIST.

The Government Chemist, Mr B. C. Aston, F.1.C., in his report to the Secretary of Agriculture, says:—

“The supply of cheap lime has occupied much of my attention, and I am pleased to report that the idea of developing the soft limestone deposits of the Dominion is now receiving a thorough trial. Acting on my suggestion, the Fields Division of the Department and the Geological Survey have devoted some time to locating and drawing attention to the matter. The owner of one deposit of soft limestone in an arid region, after breaking up the freshly dug material on a floor, passing it through a rough screen, and, bagging it, has disposed of some 500 tons. The portion rejected by the screen, but of the same chemical composition, is thrown on one side and is carted away in bulk at a cost of a few shillings a ton by the farmers adjacent to the works. A sample of this was found to readily disintegrate when pressed between two boards, and would therefore weather readily on the land, especially after a few frosts. “Since my last report deposits of a very high grade of soft limestone have been located in the Wairarapa and at Taihape. In the former case I am assured by a reliable observer that the deposits are extensive, although unfortunately not near a railway. I hope when a convenient occasion offers to report more fully on both of these. The results of the samples analysed were highlly encouraging.

“A large number of samples of limestone have been received from farmers and fiom officers of the Fields Division, and have been reported on as tc their suitability for agricultural purposes. Included in these may be mentioned papa, which is merely a sedimentary deposit containing a little more carbonate of lime than nsual in New Zealand soils. It is not. likely to prove of any great value as a soil dressing.

“Richer than papa in carbonate of lime are the deposits of shells often found on coastal mud banks or raised beaches, and several enquiries have been received with regard to this source of lime. Whether it would be profitable to use such deposits as limestone dressings must depend on the local conditions. Except for those farms very near the deposits it is doubtful if they could be profitably utilised. ’’