13S Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 March, 1918. 



contact Avith each other above the ground, the lime quickly drives off the 

 ammonia of the manure into the air and thus lessens its nitrogen content. 

 Probably the better arrangement in this respect would be, when the land 

 is treated regularly, to use manure and lime during alternate years, and 

 thus provide lime to assist in the decomi)osition and nitrification of the 

 manure apjilied subsequently. Or the lime might be harrowed in a short 

 time after the burial of the farm-yard, or green manure. 



Mr. A. E. V. Richardson, M.A., B.Sc, Agricultural Superintendent, 

 has summarized his comprehensive article on " The Practice of Liming,"* 

 thus : — 



1. Lime may be applied in one of four forms: quicklime, slaked 



lime, ground limestone, and gypsum. 



2. One ton of quicklime is equivalent to 1.3 tons slaked lime, 1.8 tons 



of carbonate of lime, and 3.1 tons gypsum. 



3. Lime has an important chemical, mechanical, and biological effect 

 on the soil. 



4. It liberates phosphates and ])otash, decomposes organic matter, 



promotes nitrification, and corrects the soil acidity. 



5. It makes clay soils more friable, and tends to bind sandy soils. 



6. It stimulates bacterial activity, and promotes soil fertility. 



7. It may be applied in dressings from 5 cwt. to 2 tons per acre, 



according to the kind of soil, kind of crop, and according 

 to the frequency of application. 



8. Small dressings frequently applied are more profitable than heavy 



dressings applied at long intervals. 



9. Lime is best applied by special limespreaders. A good, handy 



man can make one to work from the back of a farm dray. 



10. Quicklime and slaked lime are best applied in autumn, at least 



some Aveeks before the seed is sown. Carbonate of lime may 

 be applied when convenient. 



11. If quicklime can be purchased for 25s. per ton, then carbonate of 



lime is worth about 14s. per ton. 



12. Quicklime and slaked lime give quickest results. Carbonate of 



lime is slower, but is ultimately the most profitable. 



13. Lime destroys humus; therefore, keep up the supply of organic 



matter to the soil by green manuring. 



14. Lime must be supplemented with phosi:)hates to keep the soil pro- 



ductive. 



15. There is urgent need for systematic and permanent experimental 



work in connexion with liming problems. 



In connexion with their article on the '' Relation of Lime to Soil 

 Fertility,"* J. W. Paterson, B.Sc, Ph.D., and P. R. Scott, Chemist for 

 Agriculture, give an interesting summary and conclusions as folloAvs : — 



1. Lime tends to leave the surface soil through various channels, and 



fresh applications become necessary to maintain fertility. 



2. Carbonate of lime is the best form of lime for the soil. 



3. Burnt and slaked lime are rapidly changed to carbonate when they 



are applied to land. 



4. The rate at Avhich lime acts depends on its fineness of division. 



Journal of Agriculture (VictOTia), October, 1912. 



