MISCELLANEOUS EXPERIMENTS. 251 



which on different soils, under different modes of cropping, and 

 in different climates, it is most profitably applied. 



2. The comparative effects, immediate and ultimate, of the 

 same quantities of lime applied in the quick and the compost 

 states to different soils, and in reference to particular crops. 



3. Lucerne, for example, is a lime-loving plant, and is said 

 to be benefited by repeated limings. Will an annual small 

 dusting of lime over the young shoots in spring, or larger doses 

 dug in between the drills at longer intervals, or a heavy lim- 

 ing once for all, when the crop is sown, be the most profitable? 

 Or will an occasional application of lime-compost be more 

 favourable to this crop ? Such questions as these, if asked by 

 the way of experiment, would lead to economical practical 

 results, and would throw light at the same time on the physio- 

 logical relations of the plant. 



4. In the grass lands of upper Dumfriesshire, and of the 

 higher parts of Yorkshire, lime Is said to be more durable in 

 its effects when laid on in a wet or half-mortary (locally dracket 

 or dabby] state, than when applied in the dry powdery form to 

 which it falls by ordinary slaking. This statement is worthy of 

 being tested by experiment. If more lasting in its effects when 

 applied in this wet state, are its immediate effects not less ? 



5. Lime and marl extirpate sorrel, and they in many locali- 

 ties cause moss to disappear from old pastures. But moisture 

 in the air and in the soil cause moss to reappear in lawns, and 

 parks, and pleasure-grounds, and upon old grass lands, which 

 it is inconvenient or unsightly to plough up. Will an annual 

 small top-dressing of quicklime, applied in early spring, not 

 keep down this moss more effectually than large doses at dis- 

 tant intervals ? Will a mixture of this lime with common salt 

 be more efficacious if yearly repeated? Will the addition of 

 dissolved bones, in small proportion to the lime, render plough- 

 ing up unnecessary ? Will the use of one variety of lime pro- 

 duce the desired effect more readily or more completely than 

 ^another? What are the comparative effects of magnesian and 

 pure limes in this case, of such as contain more or less of the 

 natural phosphate of lime, &c. ? 



I might mention many other interesting facts, or statements, 



