--P 



406 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. 



needs for its support. By the joint action of carbonic 

 acid and water, this transfer is constantly going on 

 even without the aid of lime. But the latter substance 

 very much accelerates the action, arid thus adds greatly 

 to the fertility of the soil. 



1018. ACTION OF LIME ON ORGANIC MAT- 



Mention an- . . 



other use of TER. Lime has another important enect 

 l soil nihe on so ^ s ' m hastening the decomposition 

 of their organic matter, and thus, indi- 

 rectly, supplying in large quantity, valuable materials, 

 before mentioned, which these are adapted to furnish. 

 As this decomposition proceeds in the presence of lime, 

 part of the nitrogen of the organic matter takes the form 

 of ammonia, and part is converted into nitrates, as will 

 be remembered from the chapter on Salts. But the 

 proportion of either is practically immaterial, as both 

 are found to subserve a similar purpose in building up 

 the plant. 



1019. All of the effects which have 

 * been mentioned, may be regarded as grad- 



tioned effects ually produced in every soil which contains 



increased ? 



Mention an- carbonate of lime as a constituent. When 



it; is deficient in quantity, they are, of 

 course, increased by its addition in the 

 form of chalk or marl, or limestone. These substances 

 have also the effect of sweetening peaty and marshy 

 soils, which are rendered sour from the presence of too 

 large a proportion of vegetable matter, and thus ren- 

 dering them fit for cultivation. 



1020. BURNED LIME. Burned or caustic 



In what form 



has lime the lime has all these effects in a much greater 

 degree, and therefore its extensive use as 

 a fertilizer of the soil. It should be used 



