USES OF LIME IN AGRICULTURE

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1187, 5 February 1880, Page 3

USES OF LIME IN AGRICULTURE

The Journal of Forestry - English— in an article on the cultural uses of lime, obemically and mechanically, and as to its influence both on the organic and inorc»D)C constituents of the soil, gives the following •• a summary of it* chief benefit- :- A larger prod nee of oereal crops of sup «?rior qaali r y. Thin in e«p<-cia)ly the ca«e with wheat, whiob becomes thinner skinned and yields more flour. The peas grown upon limed land* aro bettor boiler*. Upon deep alluvial and clay soil it increases the crop of potatoes, and renders them lew waxy. Sprinkled over potatoes in the store heap it preserrea them, and when riddled over the cut rets, it wonderfully increases their fertility' Lime eradicates the finger and toe disease in turnips, and gires greater sound, ness and mere nutritive qualities 'to the bulbf. It gives, when applied to me%dow lands, a larger produce of more nutritions grasses, and checks the foot rot tn sheep depastured upon them. It also ex ertnioates bent as well a* coarse and sour praises, and aots powerfully upon the rye grosses. Upon arable land it destroys cornmarigold and weeds of various kinds. It rapidly decomposes vegetable matter producing a large amount of food for plans in the form of carbonic acid gai It destroys or neutralises the acida in the toils ; hence its adaptability to sour soils. It aots powerfully on some of the inorganic parts of the soils, especially on the sulphate of iron found in peaty soils and the sulphates of magnesia and alumina. It proves fatal to worms and slugs, and the lava of injurious inieotr, though favourable to the growth of shell bearers. It destroys the germ of smut upon tbo seed of wheat, barley and o ts, and is especially acceptable to the barUy crop, \ which is generally of good quality upon chalky toils. ' Slaked lime added to vegetable matter, causes it to give off its nitrogen in the form of ammonia. Upon soils in which the ammonia is combined with acid, it sets fiee the ammonia, which is directly toized upon by the plants. Its solubility in water caus«s it to sink . into, *ndt ameliorate the suhnoil. when 1 the soil contains fragments of granite or trap rock, lime hastens their decomposition and liberates the silicates, I fee combination with the acids in the aoil produces s iline compounds, such an po^h, soda, etc. \ It ex rs a manellous effect upon rape, ! though it is said to injure flax, wbioh in Belgium is not gmwn for teven years after hwing. Strewed over y< ung plauts, it dt strovs or drives away the turnip fly. forked, in with gran *wtf I* tilt bene-

ftoial effects of lime, ohalk, marl and shell ■and have been visible for a period of thirty years. It has a powerful pulverising effect upon the wealden clay, on the sandstone formation, and on the granites and slate rooks. Ir is generally supposed to hasten the ripening of oorn (oereal) crops. It promotes the form ttion in the soil of what are called the double silicates. Tbis process starts with the day, or, silioate of alom»na, and is afterwards continued through it.

Thk new Pure Cash System now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to tho public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out tho customer who buys at an establishment where tho roods are marked low to ensure a. rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery, millinary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should tho year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the. confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and arc dctirminod to give the pure cash system a fair trial ; whether they gaiti or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices J just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. 8c C. having realised" the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is nkw and cheaply noUGHT. An inspection is invited. — Garlick and Ckanwbll, City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Queenstreet, Auckland.