DIBBCnONS FOR USfNO LOfS. 1||. 



It has a constant tendency to sink in the soil, and 

 in one that has been heavily limed for many years, 

 quite a layer of it exists in the subsoil: this may be 

 brought up by deep plou^hinfj, or is made available 

 by drains, which permit the roots to go down. When 

 applied as a top dressing, it should in almost every 

 case be mild, and also when used in composts, where 

 much animal manure is present The reason why pre- 

 caution should be used in the latter instance, is one 

 that has becii alluded to before, in speaking of ma- 

 nures containing nitrogen. In all such cases, caustic 

 Ikxke causes a formation of ammonia from the nitro- 

 gen, and a consequent escape of it into the air. Where 

 much lime is mixed with the manure, its depreciation 

 in value is very rapid, owing to this loss. Where 

 there is little or no nitrogen present, and it is desired 

 to decompose peat, or to rot heaps of weeds and turf, 

 the caustic lime is to be preferred, as its action is so 

 much more energetic. 



It is now c()n.sidere<l the best practice to apply lime 

 in rather small quantities, and often, as then it is kept 

 near the surface, and always active. Where it ia 

 bought, lime should always, if possible, be in the state 

 of quicklime, as in that case there will be neither 

 water nor carbonic acid to transport. In 100 lbs. of 

 carbonate of lime or common limestone, are 44 lbs. 

 of water; in 100 lbs. of slaked lime, about 26 lbs. of 

 water, so that the saving in both iastances by carry- 

 ing quicklimr is considrrahh'. 



Numerous kinds of limestone, differing greatly in 

 purity, are found in various districts. In some seo- 

 tioDS they are all ma^nesian limestones or dolomites, 

 at^ese are called by mineralopists. containing, be- 

 lidf ifc of lime, ear' ii. Where 



the ; ,! i«! in larjjr ■ tdly inju- 



rious, ami ill to renner the 



limestone itii : i purposes. It 



