140 MAJS'URES. 



LniE. 



The subject of lime is one jf most vital impor- 

 tance to tlie farmer ; indeed, so varied arc its modes 

 of action and its effects, tliat some writers have giv'en 

 it credit for everything good in the way of farming, 

 and have gone so far as to say that all permanent 

 improvement of agriculture must depend on the use 

 of lime. Although this is far in excess of the truth 

 (as lime cannot plough, nor drain, nor supply anything 

 but Ihne to the soil), its many beneficial effects de- 

 mand for it the closest attention. 



As food for plants, lime is of considerable impor- 

 tance. All plants contain it — some of them in 

 large quantities. It is an important constituent of 

 straw, meadow hay, leaves of fruit-trees, peas, beans, 

 and turnips. It constitutes more than one-third of 

 the ash of red clover. Most soils contain lime 

 enough for the use of plants ; in others it is deficient, 

 and must be supplied artificially before they can pro- 

 duce good crops of those plants of which lime is an 

 important ingredient. The amount required for the 

 mere feeding of plants is not large (much less than one 

 per cent.), but lime is often necessary for other pur- 

 poses ; and setting aside, for the present, its feeding 

 action, Ave will examine its various effects on the 

 mechanical and chemical condition of the soil, 



1. It corrects acidity (sourness). 



2. It hastens the decomposition of the organic 

 matter in the soil. 



