1T440, 441, 442, 443] action of lime. 229 



quence of the decay of vegetable matter under water, or at least in very wet 

 localities, where moisture remains stagnant and the access of air is limited 

 (•740(5;. It will be observed that the blackest of soils, when derived from ;i high, 

 or at least, a dry locality, will nut sensibly color water filtered through it ; the 

 decayed vegetable matter, or humus, they contain, is evidently not soluble, to 

 any sensible degree, in water. Such is the case, for instance, with prairie soils, 

 and all good bottom soils. On the other hand, the brown tint imparted to stag- 

 nant water in which vegetable matter decays, is familiar to every one. 



440. The most striking example of this kind on the large scale, occurs in the 

 south-eastern counties of our State, especially those bordering on the Gulf of 

 Mexico. In the level and sandy pine lands of that region, from which the waters 

 drain slowly, percolating through the porous soil "filled with the fine, fibrous 

 roots of a flora most peculiar and characteristic, the conditions above referred to 

 are amply fulfilled ; hence the waters of the creeks and branches, though so trans- 

 parent as to cause to the uninitiated, unpleasant mistakes of judg nent in regard 

 to depth, and allowing the angler every opportunity of watching the motions of 

 his game, are frequently so deeply tinged with brown, that a cupful of it on the 

 breakfast table might well deceive the eye, though not the taste, as to its precise 

 character. Almost all the grasses growing n that region are of the tribes popu. 

 larly known as sour grasses— not so much so, however, but that cattle will thrive 

 and do finely on the pasturage they afford. I have not learned whether any 

 peculiarity of taste is observable in the milk and butter raised in the region ; 

 but the flavor imparted to these products by the pasturage in the sea-coast 

 marshes, will hardly escape the notice of any one. The soil of these marshes, 

 too, is very sour, or acid, and their water deeply tinged with soluble vegetable 

 matters. 



411. The analyses of the soils of these regions (which will be found under the 

 head of the "Sea-coast Counties") show that in proportion to other ingredients, 

 lime is particularly and unusually deficient in them. There can be no doubt 

 that the soils of the marshes, so far as they can be drained, and are not too 

 sandy or salty, can be effectually reclaimed and made subservient to agricultural 

 purposes, by drainage and the application of lime ; and it is highly probable, that 

 the sowing broadcast of a small amount of burnt lime on the Pine Meadow 

 pastures, would m ike the sour grasses disappear, and give place to others better 

 suited to be the food of cattle generally. Ashes, likewise, produce similar effects 

 and may be used with advantage where they can be cheaply obtained. Lime 

 forms with most of the soluble vegetable acid contained in these brown waters, 

 insoluble compound-;, and completely neutralizes its acidity. 



412. It effects, moreover, another important change. It is found that soils 

 very rich in humus, while they absorb and retain with avidity most of the 

 nutritive ingredients of plants (lf423), are incapable of retaining to any consid- 

 erable extent, Silica, whenever it is in that soluble condition in which it is 

 available to plants. Hence we find that in many soils very rich in vegetable 

 patter, the cereals, which require a great deal of silica, bring forth weakly stems, 

 inca.nble of supporting the weight of the ear. This defect is promptly correct- 

 ed by the application of lime, which at once gives the to soil the power of abstract- 

 ing from a solution every trace of soluble silica. From a number of instances 

 which have come under my observation, it would appear that the "running to 

 weed" of cotton in thrifty bottom soils, can be corrected to a considerable extent 

 by the same means (H429). 



443. Another important property of lime is to promote and quicken (he decay 

 of vegetable matter, and by its presence, to insure its conversion into true, 

 healthful humus (H406, 439). Hence the intensely black color possessed by 

 true prairie soils. In fact, an unusually dark tint in any soil, no matter whether 

 sandy or clayey, light or heavy, is a pretty certain indication of the presence of 

 a large amount of lime ; and consequently, the planter may take it for granted 

 in such cases, that the further application of pure lime to his soil (but not that 



