APPLYING LIME 



have shown that the potash probably produced 

 only a small part of the effect noted, and the benefit 

 is attributable to the lime in the ashes which exists 

 in an effective form. The content of lime is vari- 

 able, and largely so on account of the percentage 

 of moisture and dirt that may be found in most 

 ashes, and when no analysis has been made, the 

 estimate of value should not be based on more 

 than 30 to 40 per cent of carbonate of lime. The 

 price of ashes runs so high, as a result of prej- 

 udice in favor of this well-known kind of soil 

 amendment, that it rarely is advisable to buy 

 them. Pure lime is a cheaper means of correcting 

 the soil acidity, and the sulphate or the muriate 

 of potash is by far the cheaper source of potash. 



Marl. Marls vary widely in composition. 

 When quite pure, they contain 90 or more per 

 cent of carbonate of lime, and have a value per 

 ton about equal to finely pulverized limestone, 

 and near half the value per ton of stone-lime. 

 There are marls that are carriers of potash and 

 phosphoric acid, and are to be valued accordingly 

 as fertilizers. 



Magnesian Lime. Some limestone is a nearly 

 pure calcium compound, and yields a pure lime, 

 while much limestone contains a high percentage 



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