EFFECT OF LIME 



167 



depending very much upon the shelter which the long manure 

 affords to the young grass in the early spring, and to its water- 

 retaining power when it has rotted down to humus in the soil. 



VI. Effects of Lime. 



In November 1883, lime at the rate of 2000 Ib. per acre 

 was applied to one-half of each of the plots, and in 1885, 

 1886, and 1887 the limed and unlimed portions of certain 

 of the plots, where the lime had obviously produced an effect, 

 were weighed separately and subjected to partial botanical 

 separation. The results of the liming may be seen in Table 

 LXI., which gives the averages of the three seasons, both as 

 regards crop and its botanical composition. It will be seen 

 that on three of the plots 6, 7, and 15 the liming has had a 



TABLE LXI. Effects of Lime on Grass Land. Mean of 3 years (1885-87), 

 first crops. Produce and Botanical Composition of the Herbage, 

 Rothamsted. 



* Results for one year only (1SS5). 



considerable effect in increasing the crop. On the unmanured 

 plot and on Plot 8 the effect has been nil. Again, on examin- 

 ing the composition of the herbage it will be seen that on the 

 same three plots which gave an increase of crop the lime has 

 brought about a great increase in the proportion of leguminous 

 plants. On Plot 6 it has risen from 11 to 20 per cent., on Plot 

 7 from 22 to 42 per cent., and on Plot 15 from 3 to 35 per cent. 



