80 IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOIL 



cates sorrelj 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 hme, 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 w^ill 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 applied either quick or effete ; but if 

 in the former state it will have more effect in cleansing 

 the land, and a less quantity will 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 so quickly, as 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 with 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 



