THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOIL 



[CH. 



There are various qualities of lime which receive different 

 local names. The best builders' lime is not necessarily the best 

 for agricultural purposes. Cob lime may be used, and is cheaper 

 than ground lime, but more costly to spread. Neither cob nor 

 ground lime can be stored in bags. Sometimes lime ashes, lime 

 mud, or other waste products are obtainable, but they are so 

 variable in composition that they should only be bought on 

 analysis. 



Effect of cfyalk on % yield of crops 



Barley 



59 



24 



68 



26-6 



Potatoes 



9-3 



8-8 



NoC^lk 



The lower column stands for cwts 



of straw and the upper for 



bushels of grain. 



NoCh^lK C 1)3,1 k 



Tons per acre. 



Fig. 1. 



The choice between ground lime and ground limestone is 

 largely a matter of price : 12 cwts of ground lime have the same 

 value to the farmer as 1 ton of ground limestone. Where the 

 prices on this basis are equal there are some advantages in 



