88 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



with 3 or 4 times its bulk of earth, as by spreading it directly 

 upon the ground. 



Magnesian Lime. Many of the limestones contain mag- 

 nesia and are called magnesian lime. The effect of this is 

 a more energetic action and where it is found in lime, the 

 same result will be produced by the application of a less 

 quantity. Oyster and all other shells of marine origin, afford 

 pure lime by burning. 



The amount to be used depends entirely on the soil. 

 Some fertile lands contain over 30 per cent, in their natural 

 state. 800 bushels of lime per acre, have been applied at 

 one time to heavy clays and such soils as were full of vegetable 

 mold, with decided benefit to the land. In the United States, 

 the average for a first dressing, is from 50 to 120 bushels 

 per acre; which may be renewed every 4 or 6 years, at the 

 rate of 20 to 40 bushels. If an overdose has been applied, 

 time or the addition of piitresceut or green manures are the 

 only correctives. 



To give lime its fullest effect, it should be kept as near the 

 surface as possible; and for this reason it is well to spread it 

 after plowing, taking care to harrow it well in. Allow it 

 then to remain in grass as long as possible. Its weight and 

 minuteness give it a tendency to sink and after a few years 

 cultivation, a large proportion of it will be found to have got 

 beyond the depth of its most efficient action. This circum- 

 stance gives additional value to the system of underdraining 

 and subsoil plowing, which enables the atmosphere and root 

 to follow it, thus prolonging its effect and greatly augmenting 

 the benefit to crops. It should be spread upon the ground 

 immediately after taking off the last crop, so as to allow all 

 the time possible for its action before the next planting 



Application to Meadows. In addition to its other good 

 effects, lime like ashes, is useful to meadows in destroying 

 the mosses and decomposing the accumulated vegetable decay 

 on the surface. For this purpose it may be spread on them 

 unmixed, after having first passed into the state of carbonate 

 or effete lime, to prevent injury to the grass. If no such 

 necessity require its use in this form, it may be combined 

 advantageously with the muck and scattered broadcast over 

 the meadow. 



MARLS. 



Marls are composed of carbonate of lime, mixed with clay, 

 sand, or loam, and frequently with sulphate and phosphate 



