4*8 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



LIME IN THE GARDEN. 



HE present time of the year, together with early spring, being suitable 

 for the application of lime, it may not be out of place to consider 

 briefly what are its manurial properties, what classes of soils are 

 likely to be benefited by its addition, and in what form it can be 

 most advantageously used. This is the most desirable, as the use- 

 fulness of compounds of calcium seems somewhat liable to be 

 overlooked or under-rated. It is well to remember, in the first place, 

 that the function of lime in the soil is two-fold — it is a direct plant food, and it 

 also possesses a remarkable power of rendering other inert matter suitable for 

 the nourishment of plants. Besides this, it is capable of making considerable 

 modifications in the physical condition of soils — a matter quite as important to 

 the cultivator as its chemical composition. 



It is scarcely necessary to point out here the fact that calcium is one of the 

 elementary bodies that are absolutely necessary for the complete growth of 

 plants ; but it is not always borne in mind that some garden crops remove com- 

 paratively large quantities of this substance ; and that, moreover, lime is a body 

 which, to adopt the common phrase, " sinks " in the ground, thus rendering its 

 application from time to time advisable. That leguminous crops such as peas 

 and beans, need large quantities is fully recognized, as is indicated by their 

 popular description as "lime " plants. But there are many vegetables, which 

 from their marked preference for manures containing other elements, are rather 

 liable to be starved in the matter of lime, although the latter may be no less 

 necessary for their full development. Turnips, for instance, need much phos- 

 phoric acid and potash, but analysis of their ash shows about 49 per cent, of 

 lime 13.024 per cent, in the roots, and 25.65 per cent, in leaves. Potatoes, 

 again, show only 3 per cent, of lime in the ashes of their tubers, but their 

 haulms contains about 17 per cent.; and it is upon the leaves, be it remembered, 

 that the tubers have to depend for their supply of starch. Many other instances 

 might be given of the importance of lime as a miner constituent. 



It was stated above that lime sinks in the ground. The explanation of this 

 is very simple. Rain-water holds in solution carbonic acid gas, which it has 

 absorbed from the air, and thus charged, it has the power of dissolving the 

 carbonate of calcium in the soil, and carrying it away off the surface and through 

 the drains or porous subsoil. Moreover, the carbonic acid formed in the soil by 

 the decomposition of organic matter dissolves the carbonate of calcium, which 

 is carried away by drainage water. The nitrates and chlorides of calcium are 

 likewise readily diffusible, and easily lost. It may be noted in passing that the 

 alkaline base soda suffers from this washing-out process in common with lime, 

 while most fertile soils are strongly retentive of ammonium and potash. Hence 

 the reason why lime must be added in large quantities, and more frequently, 

 than a calculation of the actual amount removed by any given crops would seem 

 to warrant. 



