52 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



have been heavily manured, for its effect is to liberate the nitrogen 

 from the manures in the shape of ammonia, which promotes an 

 immediate and robust growth. The methods of applying lime 

 vary with the quality of the soil. Indeed, it must be borne in 

 mind that it would be just as injurious to apply lime to hungry 

 soil in too generous quantities as it would be to omit to use it in 

 the case of crop-sick soils, for while a sufficient supply of lime will 

 promote the solution of otherwise inactive plant foods, any undue 

 excess may possibly arrest this beneficial process altogether. 

 On light sandy soils, therefore, lumpy chalk should be spread 

 over the surface at the rate of two pounds to the square yard. 

 This will supply all the lime that is required. The chalk, if applied 

 in the early winter, will disintegrate under the influence of the 

 weather, and in the spring it may be lightly forked into the 

 ground. For moderately heavy soil slaked lime, to the extent 

 of two pounds to every six square yams, snould bemused, while 

 for very heavy clayey ground quicklime should be substituted : 

 in this case half the quantity will be sufficient to meet the require- 

 ments of the same area. In fruit culture lime is a most valuable, 

 indeed an indispensable ingredient in the soil, and should be 

 supplied as a top-dressing round the base of the trees at least 

 once a year. It is necessary to state, however, that lime should 

 only be used when the ground is clear of crops. If applied to 

 soil under a growing crop it may burn the roots and cause disaster. 

 Gas lime is a splendid insecticide, but it is also highly poisonous 

 to plant-life in its fresh state. It should only be used, therefore, 

 i on cleared ground in November, be left undisturbed throughout 

 the winter, and be dug in during early spring. If applied at the 

 rate of half-a-pound to eight square yards its effects can be none 

 other than good. Where a heavier dressing is considered to be 

 necessary the ground will require to remain uncropped for a 

 whole season. 



As has already been indicated, potash is a most valuable plant 

 food. Wood ashes contain this essential element to quite an 

 apprecial>le~3egree, and it is for this reason that I should like to 

 lay stress upon the importance of the autumn bonfire. For there 



