Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. 37] 



it is also at the same time the safest, as by the action of the grubher 

 the powdery particles of the lime are mixed with the surface soil, 

 not buried under it, as is too apt to be the case when turned in by 

 the plow. In this way the well-known tendency of lime to sink is 

 in a great measure counteracted; the soil, and through it the farmer 

 himself, getting the full benefit of the application. In grubbing-in 

 lime, the ordinary grubbing-shares are better than the broad or 

 duck-footed, as the earth can be worked to a greater depth Mith 

 less labor to the horses; and, indeed, the operation of cleaning the 

 stubbles is quite as well performed by the ordinary shares, unless 

 in exceptional cases, when passed over the fields laterally and longi- 

 tudinally. When well grubbed-in, the autumn plowing may then 

 with all safety be performed, as deep, too, as the capabilities of the 

 soil will permit, without the slightest danger of burpng the lime 

 too deep, and losing thereby most of its good effects. Most soils 

 resting on the old red sandstone can be safely treated with lime 

 when in preparation for turnips or any other green crops, providing 

 it has been laid on and incorporated Avith the soil sufficiently lung 

 to render the caustic principle of the lime innocuous. On heavy 

 soils, or those of a boggy nature, there is comparatively little dan- 

 ger, as the heat is much sooner absorbed; and every year lime may 

 be seen put on such soils in April and May, worked in immediate!}'- 

 with plow, haiTow or grubber, and the seed thereafter sown, with- 

 out sustaining the slightest injury. When the land has lain in grass 

 for a considerable time previous to having been broken up for the 

 preceding corn crop, and consequently contains a large amount of 

 organic remains — otherwise decaying vegetable matter — the appli- 

 cation of lime to the green crop is productive of the happiest 

 results. In the half-decayed turf it has something to act upon, 

 which it quickly does, rendering it soluble and subservient to the 

 nourishment and rapid and healthy growth of the young plants. 

 In such a case as this, lime takes the place of the portable manm-es, 

 and, when the ordinary quantity of dung in used in conjunction 

 with it, a capital crop of turnips is the result. In any case it will 

 seldom be found advantageous to use caustic lime, and guano, or 

 any of the dissolved bone manures for the same crop, as the lime, 

 particularly if recent, will be sure to have the effect of neutralizing 

 the action of the other fertilizers, rendering their application use- 

 less, and the money spent in purchasing them a total loss. When 

 a fiirmer has a field such as has now been supposed, he is often 

 tempted, should his. agreement allow him or his landlord give per- 



