Soluble Constituents in Alluvvd Soil. 45 



The effect of the hciny rains <if July, August, and partly of 

 September, in washing the sdluble constituents downwards is 

 well shown, and the upward tlow of the soluble constituents and 

 their ajccuniularion at the surface i>i well shown in the December 

 result. The increased average probably partly results from the 

 attraction of soluble matter from still deeper layers, and partly 

 from nitrification in the soil during warm dry wearther, after the 

 removal of the crop and the absence of rain allowed the nitrates 

 to accumulate. 



May 18 Sept. 25 Dec. 20 

 Plot 1.— Air-slaked Lime Surface 0.53 0.41 0.48 



(Two tons per acre) 8 inches 0.32 0.40 0.40 



16 inches 0.12 0.48 0.52 

 Average 0.32 0.43 0.47 

 This plot AVas obviously poorer originally than the unmanured 

 one, the high value for the top layer on May 18 being direct- 

 ly due to the addition of liiue. This appears to keep the soluble 

 matter more uniformly distributed in the upper layers of the 

 soil, and also to cause a greater increase in the December aver- 

 age than occurs in the unmanured plot. The September aver- 

 age also show>; a strong increase, in spite of the presence of a 

 growing crop. 



The chemical action of the quicklime results in a liberation 

 of soluble constituents (potash, etc.) in the superficial layers, 

 but so much of this is ultimately washed away thart; the Decem- 

 ber average is below that for the preceding plots. The soluble 

 matter is, however, kept evenly distributed, as in the case of the 

 previous limed plots. The use of powdered quicklime for direct 

 application to the soil is coming into vogue in English agri- 

 culture, a Birmingham firm manufacturing large quantities of a 

 phosphatic and niagnesiau powdered lime for agricultural pur- 

 po!-e.s. The lime needs to be drilled in as though it were so much 

 seed, some time before the crop is planted, and its purpose 

 is obviously to render a large amount of soluble matter im- 

 mediately available tor the use of young seedings. It is evi- 

 dent, however, that the quicklime will be apt to exercise an 



