366 EFFECT OF LIME. 



vegetable mould, by causing the white and red clover, 

 and some natural grasses, to come in thicker and thicker 

 each year. Lime produces a more marked effect on the 

 grasses than on any other crop. It seems, very fre- 

 quently, to increase the nutritive quality of the grasses, 

 as well as to increase their quantity, by assisting them 

 to elaborate the juices, the albuminous substances, and 

 the sugar, in which their value as food for stock largely 

 consists. 



But lime can never supply the place of other manures. 

 There are properties which it cannot supply, which plas- 

 ter can ; others which it cannot supply, as bones can ; 

 and others which it cannot supply, like ashes, and ma- 

 nures that contain salts. There are situations, however, 

 in which it is invaluable. On reclaimed meadow lands, 

 after thorough draining, and a covering of three or four 

 inches of gravel, a top-dressing of lime has a beneficial 

 effect. Crops of grass "of two and three tons to the 

 acre have been taken after such a dressing of lime. In 

 many cases the first crop will repay the expense of 

 bringing such land into cultivation. In these situations, 

 then, as well as on many pastures, it may be called one 

 of the most useful applications that can be made. Such 

 lands will bear an abundant supply of lime without 

 exhaustion. But on poor, sandy soils it should never 

 be used. It will soon exhaust and may render them 

 completely barren. When it meets with clay in lands 

 to which it is applied, it forms a kind of marl, and 

 greatly improves the texture of the soil : but, when it 

 comes in contact with sand, it forms, rather, a sort of 

 mortar. Hence it is thought to be injurious on sandy 

 soils. Many soils have naturally a sufficient quantity of 

 lime, and on these a further application is not needed. 



No definite rule, with respect to the amount required, 

 can be given. It must depend upon the nature of the 



