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on compost heaps. It hastens putrefactive processes and 

 reduces vegetable substances into 'mould'. 



926. When green manuring is done, say, with dhaincha 

 in August, liming is advisable to hasten putrefaction before 

 the next crop, potatoes or sugar-cane, is sown. 



927. Lime in the form of carbonate promotes the 

 formation of nitrates in the soil. Slaked and hot lime 

 destroy insects, and other vermins and also fungus pests. 

 Liming of seed grain for preventing rust and smut is prac- 

 tised by European and American farmers. When any crop 

 shows any fungoid disease lime should be scattered over 

 it. 



928. Poor sandy soils are also benefited by liming if it 

 is done before the application of farmyard manure, in as 

 much as it cements their particles together as mortar, making 

 them stiffer and charging them with hydrous silicates and 

 thus adding to their absorptive power. An admixture of 

 carbonate of lime with soil increases its power to absorb and 

 fix potash, soda, ammonia &c. from their solutions. 



929. Liming corrects the acidity of sour land by neutra- 

 lizing any excess of free humic acid. 



930. Liming reduces the proportion of rushes and sedges 

 and encourages the growth of good grasses and leguminous 

 weeds in pasture lands. 



931. But on poor soils liming should not be done. In 

 (act, lime sets free such an amount of plant-food, that it gives 

 immediate good return at the expense of the permanent 

 fertility of the soil. There is a proverb which says, " Lime 

 enriches the father but beggars the son." It is better to 

 use ashes, bone-dust, apatite or gypsum when it is intended 

 to supply lime to the soil. 



932. Seeds and young plants should not be brought in 

 close contact with lime, as the caustic action burns up 

 seedlings. Grass can be actually killed by watering it with 

 lime water. 



