FERTILIZERS 



25 



make the ground hard and lumpy for a while. On 

 the asparagus bed, or with corn or rhubarb, this is 

 not an important consideration, and they may be 

 used freely. 



Lime 



Direct Action of Lime on the Nature of the Soil. — 



Lime is not only an essential constituent of plant 

 food, but is of the greatest importance to the farmer 

 through its beneficial action upon the soil. It 



Clay Soil Badly Cracked 



Same Type or Soil after 

 Treatment with Lime 



neutralizes the acidity in sour lands. It acts on 

 the dressing that is dug in, hastening the decay of 

 the vegetable and animal matter so that it will be 

 more quickly and completely available to the roots. 

 It also helps to increase the store of potash in the 

 soil in suitable form for the plant to use, a most 

 important service. 



