loOcT., lyi-'.J 77/1' Use of Lime in Vicionaii Vineyards. 635 



instance uf this case may be given. Mr. H. J-:. Ireland, of St. 

 Leonard's vineyard, near Wahgunyali, planted with vines a block 

 of land on which were a couple of small patches of unusually 

 stiff land on which reeds grew. Instead of leaving _ these patches un- 

 planted, Mr. Ireland dt^cided to attempt their correction by the use of 

 lime. Gypsum (sulphate of lime) was the form u.sed ; this was applied 

 at the rate of about 5 tons per acre, about three years ago. The result 

 was entirelv satisfactory, and at the present time the.se patches are com- 

 pletely transformed. From on almost liopelessly stiff clay, which seemed 

 unfit to grow vines, they have been converted into good friable soil, quite 

 equal to the rest of the block. The dressing was no doubt a very heavy 

 one, but the cost of such could easily be borne in the case of a permanent 

 and profital)le culture, such as that of the vine. The case was a rather 

 exceptional one, and in view of the apparently intractable nature of the 

 clav patches, an heroic dose was judged necessary. Very much lighter 

 applications would probably be ample in most clay soils. 



The application of lime as a soil improver is often found advantageous 

 in French vine soils, notwithstanding their being already well supplied. 

 In tho.se of our Victorian soils which are deficient in lime it is surely 

 reasonable to look for far greater benefit. 



Different Forms of Lime. 



Lime mav be applied to the soil in several distinct forms, each of which 

 has its advantages and defects, and ma\ be well suited or otherwise to 

 any given case. The three principal foims are — 



J. Lime properly so called, or burnt lime, whether '"quick" cr 



" slaked." 

 2.. Ground limestone or lime carbonate. 

 3. Gvpsum or lime sulphate. 



It must be remembered that the phosphatic n:anures in general use 

 contain much lime ; superphosphate contains nearly half its weight c^f 

 lime sulphate, whilst Thomas' phosphate (basic slag) contains even more 

 lime, but combined in a different form. 



The first is the most concentrated, a given weight of burnt lime con- 

 taining more lime (pure calcium oxide) than any other form ; hence, at 

 anything like equal price it is also the most economical, both as regards 

 cost of the lime unit and carriage. Being strongly alkaline it immediately 

 neutralizes .soil acidity, but being also caustic it is rather severe on the 

 organic matter (humus) of the soil ; for the latter reason the rate cf 

 application should not exceed half a ton per acre. Used in conjunction 

 with green manuring, to supply organic matter, we have in lime a most 

 poAverful means of increasing the fertility of our vineyards. 



Ground limestone, containing considerably less calcium oxide than burnt 

 lime, is a less economical form. It parts readily with its carbonic acid 

 in acid soils, and is therefore well suited for their neutralization. Since 

 it is not in any way caustic it ma\- be .supplied in almost any quantity 

 without affecting humus. Insolubility is its chief defect, but this is also 

 shared In burnt lime, which rapidly becomes carbonated on exposure to 

 the air. 



Gypsum po.ssesses undoubted good qualities as well as serious draw- 

 hacks. A great part of its weight being made up of sulphuric acid and 

 water, the unit cost of lime in this form is very high. It is a neutral 

 salt, and as such it is valueless for the correction of acid soils. On the 



