Loss of Lime 279 



into the drains. The analysis of drainage waters shows 

 the latter to contain lime as bicarbonate, nitrate, sul- 

 fate and chloride. The formation of the first two is due 

 to bacterial activities, the formation of the third is also 

 related to a considerable extent to the activities of cer- 

 tain bacteria. It will be seen, therefore, that, directly 

 and indirectly, lime plays an important part in the life 

 of the soil bacteria and that the latter in their activities 

 affect the fortunes of lime in the soil. 



These losses of lime become greater when com- 

 mercial fertilizers are used, particularly those containing 

 sulfate or chloride of ammonia. Large amounts of lime 

 are used up when the latter are changed to nitrate by 

 the nitrifying bacteria. It has been found that when 

 muriate (chloride) of potash is applied to the soil the 

 potash is fixed in the latter. The drainage waters show 

 corresponding additions of chloride of lime. Similarly, 

 when sulfate of ammonia is applied, the drainage 

 waters will receive additions of both nitrate of lime and 

 sulfate of lime. Investigations at Rothamsted show 

 losses of lime amounting to 1,000 pounds per annum, — 

 losses that serve to explain the need of the periodical 

 liming of most soils. Hilgard frequently quotes the 

 popular saying that "a lime country is a rich country." 

 There is very good reason for the belief expressed in 

 this statement, for the reason that no soil is productive 

 unless it has a vigorous bacterial flora. The latter is 

 not possible in a soil deficient in lime. 



The importance of lime. — Proper decay of the humus, 

 proper nitrification and proper nitrogen-fixation are 

 ail dependent upon an abundant supply of lime. We 



