SECRETARY'S REPORT. 221 



and indicate the want of lime in the soil. It produces from 

 them a fine, vegetable mould, bj causing the white and red 

 clover, and some natural grasses, to come in thicker and 

 thicker each year. Lime produces a more marked effect on the 

 grasses than on any other crop. It seems, very frequently, to 

 increase the nutritive quality of the grasses as well as to 

 increase their quantity, by assisting them to elaborate the 

 juices, the albuminous substances and the sugar, in which their 

 value as food for stock largely consists. 



But lime can never supply the place of other manures. 

 There are properties which it cannot supply, which plaster can; 

 others which it cannot supply, as bones can ; and others which 

 it cannot supply like ashes, and manures that contain salts. 

 There are situations, however, in which it is invaluable. On 

 reclaimed meadow lands, after thorough draining, and a cover- 

 ing of three or four inches or gravel, a top-dressing of lime 

 has a beneficial effect. Crops of grass of two and three tons 

 to the acre, have been taken after such a dressing of lime. In 

 many cases the first crop will repay the expense of bringing 

 such land into cultivation. In these situations, then, as well as 

 on many pastures, it may be called one of the most useful appli- 

 cations that can be made. Such lands will bear an abundant 

 supply of lime without exhaustion. But on poor sandy soils it 

 should never be used. It will soon exhaust and may render 

 them completely barren. When it meets with clay in lands to 

 which it is applied, it forms a kind of marl, and greatly im- 

 proves the texture of the soil. But when it comes in contact 

 with sand, it forms, rather, a sort of mortar. Hence it is 

 thought to be injurious on sandy soils. Many soils have natu- 

 rally a sufficient quantity of lime, and on these a further appli- 

 cation is not needed. 



No definite rule, with respect to the amount required, can be 

 given. It must depend upon tlie nature of the soil, and must 

 be left to the judgment of those who use it. In general, on 

 peat and clay soils, from ten to fifty bushels to the acre will be 

 required, though less would, perhaps, be beneficial. 



The addition of lime to the compost heap is often of great 

 importance. The decay of all vegetable substances is accele- 

 rated by it; but it should not be brought in contact with decay- 

 ing or fermenting animal substances unless covered by a thick 



