10G F\ REPORT OF PROGRESS. E. W. CLAY POLE. 



form of silicate of potash. When lime is added to such soil 

 as this, it changes the silicate of potash into silicate of lime, 

 and sets free the potash, which is carbonated. Carbonate of 

 potash is one of the most valuable materials for growing 

 plants. Such soils contain within themselves a reserve of 

 this plant-food locked up which ages cannot exhaust. It 

 must not, however, be inferred from the above-stated fact, 

 that this red sandstone soil does not need manure. Plants 

 cannot live or grow upon potash alone, though potash is 

 one of their most important constituents. They require 

 many other chemical elements, which must be supplied in 

 the shape of manure. 



Again, when new boggy land is broken up, the soil is often 

 sour from the presence of liumic acid produced by the decay 

 of vegetable matter. In some cases it is too sour to allow 

 the growth of anything but the natural swamp grasses and 

 sedges. Lime is alkaline or anti-acid in property, and, 

 therefore, its application in considerable quantity is pro- 

 ductive of immediate benefit in diminishing the acidity and 

 rendering the soil suitable for the growth of more profit- 

 able crops. 



As to the details of the application of lime, the time, man- 

 ner, quantity, &c, experience is the best guide, and the 

 farmer can determine these points for himself. But a 

 knowledge of the chemical principles above given will guide 

 an intelligent man in the use of this valuable but much 

 abused stimulant, which, like many others when used alone 

 and unwisely, develops a short-lived energy, but ends in 

 greater exhaustion. 



From what has been said, it is evident that the addition 

 to the land of finely-powdered limestone is totally useless 

 as a substitute for quick-liming. It may have a good me- 

 chanical effect on some soils, like that produced by sand, 

 coal, ashes, &C, but cannot stimulate their fertility. 



The ('oof of Perry count//. 



I have been many times asked during my travels in Perry 

 county if there is not ground for anticipating the discovery 



