EFFECT OF LIMl 



167 



depending very much upon tlie shelter wliicli the Inuic iiiaiiiuv 

 affords to tlie young grass in the early spring, and to its water- 

 retaining power when it has rotted down to hunuis in the soil. 



VI. Elf\'('t,< of J/nii<\ 

 In Xovember 1883, lime at the rate of 'lOOi) 11). per aere 

 was applied to one-half of each of the plots, and in isRf), 

 1886, and 1887 the limed and unlimed portions of ecrtain 

 of the plots, where the lime had obviously produced an etti'Ct, 

 were weighed separately and subjected to partial botanical 

 separation. The results of the liming may be seen in Table 

 LXL, wliich gives the averages of the three seasons, both as 

 regards crop and its botanical composition. It will be seen 

 that on three of the plots— 6, 7, and 15 — the liming has had ;i 



Table LXI. — Effects of Lime on Grass Land. Mean of 3 years (1885-87), 

 first crops. Produce and Botanical Composition of the Ilcrbfii/i , 

 Rothamsted. 



Results for one year only (1885). 



considerable effect in increasing the crop. On the unmaniuvd 

 plot and on Plot 8 the effect has been nil. Again, on examin- 

 ing the composition of the herbage it will be seen that on the 

 same three plots which gave an increase of crop the limr has 

 brought about a great increase in the proi)orti()n of leguminous 

 plants. On Plot 6 it has ri.sen from 11 to -JO per cent., on Plot 

 7 from 22 to 42 per cent., and on Plot 15 from :5 to :{5 per c<'nt. 



