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POTASH MANURES. 



As a source of Potash however, they should be used in an 

 exactly similar manner to that just described. 



Potash manures, I have said, will be rarely specially required for 

 tea in Assam. If analysis of the soil indicates that Potash is deficient 

 and wood ashes are not available in sufficient quantity, the only two 

 manures which would be worth carrying to Assam are the Sulphate 

 of Potash (containing 50 per cent, of Potash) and the Muriate of 

 Potash, containing a little more. They may form components of 

 mixtures, but should never be applied alone to the bushes. 



LIME AS MANURE. 



We now come to the use of lime. As stated in the previous 

 chapter, I consider that very little of the Assam soil is in need of 

 lime, or is likely to be for a good many years, if manures like Sul- 

 phate of Ammonia be avoided, although at present it contains far 

 less of this constituent than the average agricultural soil. Lime has 

 its functions, however, and should not be totally neglected. 



1. It is often useful to apply lime to a garden affected with 

 fungous and insect blights, not so much as a manure (though this 

 may in the future be found to be of advantage in connection with 

 blights), but as a means of destroying the insects, caterpillars, and 

 fungous spores in the soil round the bushes. For this purpose it 

 should be freshly slaked if possible, slaked just before use. Slaked 

 lime bought and imported ready slaked is of little value for the 

 purpose, as usually fifty per cent, has reverted to the state of Car- 

 bonate of Lime, and is useless. 



2. It forms a good substitute for Basic. Slag as an addition 

 when burying prunings, and has the same effect in increasing the 

 rapidity of rotting, but not the advantage of adding Phosphoric Acid. 



3. It is useful also in keeping cattle manure. By adding a 

 layer of lime to a manure heap occasionally, a sort of compost is 

 formed, the manure rots more quickly, and the lime becomes entirely 

 incorporated with the manure. 



Further than this lime seems to possess no immediate use in 

 manuring tea in Assam. 



OTHER MANURES. 



Various other more or less rare salts have been suggested as 

 additions to tea. Sulphate of Iron and Sulphate of Manganese have 



