672 NEW YOEK STATE MUSEUM 



centage of lime, because tliej have been subjected to less leacbing 

 action by rainfall. 



The advantages of lime agriculturally are great, its effect being 

 both chemical and physical. Physically its action is to cause the 

 soil particles- to flocculate, that is to gather together and form 

 compound grains, thus promoting the drainage of the soil, aerating 

 it, and also making it more easily worked. Chemically it serves 

 to hasten decay of the organic matter in the soil as well as that 

 of the mineral particles, and thereby indirectly to facilitate the 

 change of any iron compounds from a ferrous to a ferric condi- 

 tion. It also serves as plant food. 



While lime has a stimulating effect on the soil, at the same 

 time it tends to drain it of nourishment more rapidly than would 

 otherwise be the case. The percentage of lime required to 

 produce desirable results in a soil is said to be very small, those 

 with only 1^ of the carbonate being often productive. 



Pottery glazes 



In pottery manufacture lime is used in two different directions : 

 viz in the manufacture of the pottery body, serving as a flux, and 

 as a constituent of the glaze. 



Minor uses 



Other uses of lime are, for purifying drinking water; as a dis- 

 infectant; as a polishing material; for preserving eggs; in dyeing; 

 in the manufacture of calcium carbid; for dehydrating alcohol; 

 in the manufacture of lime pencils for oxyhydrogen lights. 



Mortar 



Mortar is a mixture of slaked lime and sand used for the pur- 

 pose of binding masonry together, and more lime is probably used 

 for this purpose than for any other. 



The use of lime as a mortar has been known for many years^ 

 and the ancients were familiar with the fact that by means of 

 simply burning limestone and soaking the burnt mass in water 



