216 JOTTINGS OF A GENTLEMAN GARDENER 



once or twice during the summer to lessen evaporation. 

 But what is known as " chloride of lime " is quite valuable 

 if sprinkled lightly on the surface of the ground in the 

 winter and dug in. It acts chiefly as a soil fumigant, but 

 also supplies lime to the soil. Calcium cyanamide is a most 

 useful manure. When it comes into contact with moisture 

 in the soil it slowly changes evolving ammonia, and this 

 ammonia must be changed into nitrates by soil bacteria, 

 in which form it can be used by plants. It also supplies 

 lime in the form of the carbonate to the soil. It can be 

 scattered freely on the surface in the winter or early spring 

 at the rate of 2 ozs. per square yard, or nearly 4 Ibs. per 

 square rod, and dug in. Or it may be scattered over the 

 beds during the growing season of plants and watered or 

 hoed in. Owing to the fact that it is only slowly soluble, 

 it is useless to attempt to apply it in solution as is often 

 advertised. It must not be given to Lupins, Galegas, Sweet 

 Peas, etc. Calcium nitrate is a very quick acting fertiliser, 

 coming second only to nitrate of ammonium in the speed 

 of its action. It is very soluble in water and readily 

 absorbs it from the atmosphere, so must be kept in tightly 

 lidded tins. It can be applied in solution only, during the 

 growing season, beginning with oz. per gallon, and 

 increasing to f oz. per gallon. It must be kept away 

 from Galegas, Lupins, Sweet Peas, etc. Calcium nitride, 

 which is difficult to get, can be used in a similar manner to 

 cyanamide, but only i oz. per square yard or nearly 

 2 Ibs. per square rod should be applied. It evolves a 

 large amount of ammonia and also supplies lime to the soil. 

 The oxide is just " lime." Its uses have already been 

 mentioned several times. It comes in more as a soil 

 cleanser and antidote to sour or humic soils than as a 

 fertiliser. For general purposes apply lime every three 

 years in the winter at the rate of 4 ozs. or so per square 

 yard. For special purposes more may be used. Slaked 

 lime, Calcium hydroxide, is not so suitable for use as 

 quicklime. Old slaked lime can be used at the rate of 

 5 ozs. or more per square yard. Calcium phosphate is 



