The Soil of the Garden 



69 



FIG. 43. Lime should be applied when no wind is blowing. Even a miid 

 breeze will carry much of the lime away and prevent an even distribution over 

 the surface. 



sandy soils. Lime should not be plowed or spaded under, 

 either in autumn or in spring, but should be scattered 

 over the surface and thoroughly raked in shortly be- 

 fore planting. One application every three years should 

 be sufficient. 



Other benefits of lime. Small amounts of the prin- 

 cipal elements in lime (calcium and magnesium) are used 

 by plants in building up their bodies, and these elements 

 combine with decayed organic material to form nitrates, 

 which the plants take in and use as the source of their 

 nitrogen. Lime in soils also leads to chemical changes 

 which make it easier for plants to secure the potassium 

 and phosphorus in rock particles. Lime improves the 

 physical condition of the heavy clay soils by making 



