187 



A small quantity of lime, mixed with muck or rich clay of any 

 kind, will have a better effect than a much larger quantity, applied 

 without the addition of any other substance. Professor Johnston says, 

 " Lime acts in two ways on the soil. It produces a mechanical altera- 

 tion which is simple and easily understood ; but it is the cause of chem- 

 ical changes which are really obscure, and are as yet susceptible of only 

 partial explanation. 



1st. It supplies a kind of inorganic food, which appears to be neces- 

 sary for the healthy growth of all our cultivated plants. 



2d. It neutralizes acid substances which are naturally formed in the 

 soil, and decomposes, or renders harmless, other noxious compounds 

 which are not unfrequently within reach of the roots of plants. 



3d, It changes the inert vegetable matter in the soil, so as gradually 

 to render it useful to vegetation. 



4th. It facilitates, or enables other useful compounds both organic or 

 inorganic, to be produced in the soil, or so promotes the decomposition 

 of existing compounds as to prepare them more speedily for entering 

 into the circulation of plants." 



Lime is found to exist in clover and wheat, turnips, oats and maize, 

 and in almost every plant. In nature it mostly exists as a carbonate, 

 that is, in conjunction with carbonic acid. There can be no doubt but 

 that the soil of Michigan would be much improved by the judicious 

 application of lime. 



Bones. 



Bones have been for some time considered a manure of great value. 

 European agriculturists have erected mills at considerable expense, for 

 the purpose of crushing and grinding bones, and thereby rendering 

 them fit for manure. Great results have been obtained by applying 

 bone manure to old pasture or meadow lands, the grass or hay of which 

 had been taken away for many years, to form the flesh and bones of 

 animals, without an equivalent being returned to the soil, which in such 

 cases becomes exhausted and unable to yield pasture or meadow ; but 

 when phosphate and carbonate of lime, and gelatine are applied in the 

 shape of bone dust, a remarkable change takes place, the grass shoots 

 up with renewed vigor, and excellent crops are obtained. 



American farmers scarcely ever make use of bones as a manure, yet 

 they might easily be procured, for in this country large quantities of 



