WITH REFERENCE TO HORTICULTURE. 21 



lime in the preparation for wheat crops depends ; and its efficacy 

 in fertilizing peats, and in bringing into a state of cultivation all soils 

 abounding in hard roots, or dry fibres, or inert vegetable matter. The 

 solution of the question, whether quicklime ought to be applied to a 

 soil, depends upon the quantity of inert vegetable matter that it con- 

 tains. The solution of the question, whether marl, mild lime, or pow- 

 dered limestone, ought to be applied, depends upon the quantity of 

 calcareous matter already in the soil. All soils are improved by mild 

 lime, and ultimately by quicklime, which do not effervesce with 

 acids ; and sands more than clays." (' Agricultural Chemistry,' 6th edit., 

 p. 304.) 



In the case of suburban villas, the most important uses of lime are, 

 first, the formation of lime-water for the destruction of insects, snails, 

 worms, &c.; and secondly, the formation of lime composts to be used 

 as manure. For both these purposes lime must be obtained in its 

 caustic state. In preparing lime-water, a very small quantity of lime 

 in powder will be found to saturate many gallons of water ; and, by 

 letting this settle a few minutes till it becomes clear, the plants or the 

 soil may be watered with it without leaving any coating of lime, 

 which only takes place when the lime is applied in a state of mixture 

 and solution. The causticity of the liquid, owing to the alkali which 

 it contains, destroys the tender skins of caterpillars, earth-worms, 

 snails, and slugs. 



Lime compost is formed of caustic lime, at the rate of from sixteen 

 to twenty-four bushels of lime to three times that quantity of earth 

 taken from hedge -banks, cleanings of ditches or ponds, scrapings of 

 roads, or even from the surface of any soil which is somewhat different 

 in its nature or texture from the soil on which the compost is to be 

 laid. Even the substratum of any soil, where good, may be used, and 

 afterwards laid on the surface soil. The compost should lie from nine 

 to twelve months, and be turned over in that time twice or thrice. In 

 every part of Britain this manure may be formed at a moderate expense ; 

 and though it is better adapted for fields than gardens, yet in many 

 cases, and particularly where manure is scarce, it will be found 

 a valuable resource, and one to be recommended from the readiness 

 and simplicity of its composition. 



Saltpetre, or nitrate of potash, when analysed, consists of oxygen, 

 nitrogen, and potassium. Saltpetre is found, in almost all plants, and 

 especially those which are cultivated in rich soils. As a manure it 

 sometimes produces extraordinary effects on grass lands and corn 

 crops ; but its action is not understood, and it has been but little used 

 in horticulture. Nitrate of soda produces nearly the same results as 

 saltpetre. From some experiments with this salt lately detailed in. 

 the 'Journal of the English Agricultural Society,' vol. i. pp. 418 and 

 423, it appears to have increased the produce of corn crops, but not 

 more so than saltpetre. In general both salts tell more on growth 

 than on seeds. In many soils they make the straw of grain crops too 

 luxuriant, and liable to fall before the grain is ripe. 



Common Salt, or the chloride of sodium, consists of nearly equal 



