The Use of Lime in Agriculture 



that are of no use to us ; but such acidity is 

 quite unsuitable for the various plants that we 

 cultivate. Lime, which corrects the acidity, 

 does wonders in marshy ground and damp 

 meadows. The need of lime is shown by 

 the growth of ferns, heath, sedges, reeds, 

 mosses, or sphagnum. 



In the third place, as soon as it is in the 

 ground, the lime again returns to its original 

 condition of chalk, but in the form of very 

 fine powder. This reversion to the con- 

 dition of chalk is effected by combination 

 with the carbonic acid gas, which proceeds 

 from the atmosphere or from the substances 

 rotting in the ground. In this new form 

 lime plays an important part, by supplying 

 the chalk to land where it is deficient, and by 

 causing the clay to be more easily pene- 

 trated by air and water. 



The distribution of lime to the ground 

 takes place at the end of summer when the 

 land is dry. Heaps consisting of four or 

 five gallons of quicklime are placed at in- 

 tervals of five yards, and covered with a 

 little earth. In a short time, through the 

 dampness of the air, the lime is reduced to a 

 fine powder. It is then spread evenly with 

 the shovel, and buried by slight ploughing. 



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