80 IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOIL 



cates sorrel, corrects the acidity of soils, neutralizes the 

 oxydes of iron, tends to prevent rust in the small grains, 

 and to give to wheat a fine, clean straw and berry. 



Quicklime, in its ultimate, and carbonate of lime, in 

 its immediate effects, are beneficial, as we have stated, in 

 all soils in which it is deficient. Two per cent, of car- 

 bonate of lime, in the tillage stratum of a soil, is deemed 

 sufficient, by Mr. Ruffin, for all tillage crops; but it should 

 be borne in mind, that this earth, more than any other, is 

 exhausted by cropping ; and that when it is supplied arti- 

 ficially, it will require to be repeated at intervals of four 

 to eight years. 



The following rules for the application of quicklime 

 are given in British husbandry, and will be found gener- 

 ally applicable to our practice. 



"1. Before application of lime, the land should be 

 thoroughly drained and laid dry. 



"2. It may be carried on when the teams are most at 

 leisure ; but summer is the best season ; and it never 

 should be laid upon the land except in dry weather. 



"3. It should be laid on while in a powdery state, and 

 kept as near the surface as possible, as then best adapted 

 to mix intimately with the soil. 



" 4. It may be apphed either quick or effete ; but if 

 in the former state it will have more effect in cleansing 

 the land, and a less quantity w^ill serve the immediate pur- 

 pose. It should however be carted upon the land as soon 

 as possible, and spread directly before the plough, let- 

 ting that follow on so quickly, that the body of the lime 

 shall be slaked in the soil ; and it must be cautiously ap- 

 plied to light soils. 



" 5. As it has a tendency to sink into the ground, and 

 it is important to preserve it near the surface, it should 

 be ploughed w'ith a shallow furrow. 



"6. When found, after a few years, in lumps, and 

 much below the surface of the land, it should be ploughed 

 up and repeatedly harrowed, so as to insure its entire 

 mixture. 



"7. Clays and strong loams require a full dose ; but 

 for sands and other light soils, a much less quantity of 



