268 LIME CAUSING HEALTHY GROWTH. 



all plants grown thereon will be more healthy, more able to resist 

 all causes of disease and disaster, to bear up unhurt under injuries 

 of season, insects, &c., which would have either destroyed, or 

 greatly injured the feebler and diseased growth of a soil deficient 

 in lime. Plants thus receive that endowment which in regard to 

 animals is called a good physical constitution. And the difference 

 between the possession of this good constitution and the want of it, 

 whether in animals or plants, in most times for comparison, would 

 be as the difference between perfect health and full ability on the 

 one side, and of disease or decay on the other. 



In this aspect, the superiority of product from calxed land, how- 

 ever great it may be over the uncalxed, in any particular season 

 not disastrous to the growth of either, is of less account and value 

 than the ability of the former to maintain good products, under 

 circumstances of injury which would greatly reduce the production 

 of the latter. 



In addition to this much greater certainty of calxed land pro- 

 ducing crops proportioned to its fertility, than of the un-calxed, in 

 proportion to its lesser rate there is the further advantage that the 

 growth of the former is in comparison more perfect and more valu- 

 able than would be indicated by mere quantities. The grain of 

 wheat is heavier to the measure, has a thinner skin, and yields 

 more flour, on calxed soils, or those naturally calcareous ; " while 

 this flour is said also to be richer in gluten," and of course will 

 make more and better bread. (Johnston, p. 391.) These benefits 

 are in addition to the greater quantity and also the greater cer- 

 tainty of production. Though the millers of this country have 

 been slow to learn these truths, still they are beginning to know 

 that the wheat produced on calxed lands is the most valuable. 

 Johnston says that liming " improves the quality of almost every 

 cultivated crop." " All fodder [grass, &c.], whether natural or 

 artificial, is said to be sounder and more nourishing when grown 

 upon land to which lime has been abundantly applied." " Pota- 

 toes are made more mealy and palatable, especially on moist lands 

 needing draining. Turnips, peas, and beans are also improved for 

 food, in addition to the increase of crops." 



