1? 



Quick Lime. 



Quick lime, or fresh burnt lime, is more active than the carbonate and, 

 possibly, where there is a great deal of acid to neutralize, it may be preferable 

 to the other forms. It hastens the decay of the organic matter. On deep swamp 

 soils this may be a decided advantage, but on light arable soil it may be a dis- 

 advantage. Unless there is a large amount of acid to neutralize, it should not 

 be applied at heavier applications than about a ton per acre. This may be dropped 

 in heaps on the field at convenient distances for spreading, covered with a little 

 soil and allowed to slake, and then spread with a shovel. It should not be plowed 

 down but thoroughly worked into the soil by surface cultivation. 



Makl and Carbonate of Lime. 



Marl is rich in carbonate of lime and may contain traces of phosphoric acid. 

 The chief marl beds in this Province are associated with our swamp lands. The 

 carbonate of limie is simply ground limestone rock. Some experiments seem to 

 indicate that the dolomite rock is more valuable as a fertilizer than tlie purer 

 limestones. To secure quick results limestone should be finely ground. We 

 have, however, large quantities of dust from the stone crushers preparing stone 

 for roadmaking that is very suitable for this work. It is not all fine enough to act 

 quickly, but nearly 50 per cent, of it will pass through a sieve with 10,000 open- 

 ings to the square inch. This material can be procured at 50 cents per ton in 

 carload lots. The freight charges will, in many cases, be greater than the cost 

 of the materials; consequently, as it can be procured in a number of places in 

 the Province, care should be exercised in purchasing at the nearest point and 

 thus reduce the cost of transportation. In applying ground limestone rock it 

 is well to remember that it takes practically two tons of this material to supply 

 as much calcium as one ton of quick lime. The ground rock is not so active 

 as the quick lime and therefore may be applied in very heavy quantities without 

 doing any harm. 



Gypsum. 



• 



Grypsum, land plaster, or sulphate of calcium, exerts a similar effect to that 

 ot: lime in improving the mechanical condition of clay soils. It serves as a source 

 of calcium, as a plant food, and it serves to stimulate the beneficial soil organisms 

 on the roots of leguminous plants like the clovers, alfalfas, peas, beans, etc. In 

 these ways it acts in the same manner as lime, but gypsum will not, like lime, 

 correct or neutralize the acid of a soil. Xor does it hasten the decay of organic 

 matter as does the quick lime. As an aid to the growth of the legumes it may 

 be applied at the rate of 300 to 500 pounds to the acre. If used to "lighten," 

 or improve, the physical condition of clay soils heavier applications will be 

 required. 



Salt, 



Agricultural salt was formerly used in this Province in considerable quantities, 

 but of late years very little has been applied. It supplies no essential plant food 

 constituent and its value appears to be due to indirect action, and thus it acts more 

 as a stimulant. 



