BY E. H. GURNEY. 9 



The lime requirements of the soils, analj-ses of which 

 were published in 1916 and 1917 Reports, were determined 

 by the method of Hutchinson and MacLennan, and soils with 

 a neutral reaction to litmus paper, as well as those with 

 acid reaction, Were by this method found to require lime. 



From this it will be apparent that some of the soils 

 with neutral reaction must be included with soils requiring 

 lime. The x4gricultural chemist, J. C. Briinnich* has 

 stated : " There can be no doubt that the great bulk of 

 our agricultural lands would be greatly benefited by liming."" 



Of the many effects, favourable to increased soil 

 fertility, derived from the application of lime to soils requir- 

 ing it, the following ma}' be mentioned — -improvement of 

 soil tilth ; neutralisation of soil acidity ; liberation of inert 

 plant food ; promotion of bacterial activity ; encourage- 

 ment of legume growth. 



Full information concerning these effects has been 

 published in text-books and pamphlets dealing with the 

 soil, and in Agricultural Journals. Also officers of the 

 Department of Agriculture have recommended liuiing to 

 farmers cultivating land requiring lime. 



Though lime in some of its different forms is used in 

 the cultivation of the soil for some crops, there is no general 

 attempt throughout the State to apply lime to meet the 

 soil lime requirements. And though deposits of limestone 

 occur in many parts of Queenslandf, the present cost of 

 ground limestone to farmers of different districts will pro- 

 hibit its extensive use. In connection with this matter, 

 it may be stated, that the Department of Agriculture is 

 importing limestone pulverisers for trial. 



In connection with the phosphoric acid and potash 

 contents of these Queensland soils, the percentage of soils 



*Agricultural Lime and Limestone in Queensland. J. C. Briinnich, 

 Queensland Agricultural Journal, May, 1914. 



tQueensland Mineral Index and Guide. B. Dunstan. 



