84 



GAEDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



All the constituents of the lime and salt mixture are 

 available to plants, the caustic lime decomposes the salt 

 forming chloride of calcium, while the soda set free, draws 

 carbonic acid from the atmosphere and becomes a carbonate. 

 Lime decomposes all organic matters, but it drives off the 

 ammonia, and hence, should not be used in connection 

 with animal manure. The mixture is still better than 

 lime for decomposing organic matters, and besides does not 

 drive off the ammonia therein. 



Lime rubbish from old brick walls, and the plastering 

 of old houses, absorb nitrogen from the air, forming nitrate 

 of lime. This salt furnishes nitrogen abundantly to plants. 

 This rubbish also contains a portion of hair and silicate of 

 lime, and is a very powerful manure. One ton is suffi- 

 cient for an acre. 



Common salt on lands so distant from the sea, that the 

 spray does not reach them, is a very beneficial manure. 

 The refuse salt which has been used for bacon is the most 

 valuable, as it contains in addition the blood and juices of 

 the meat which greatly increase its value. It may be di- 

 rectly applied to asparagus without injury, and at the rate 

 of six or eight bushels per acre applied in autumn, it benefits 

 all garden crops, keeping the soil moist and free from in- 

 sects and worms. Gypsum enters into the composition of 

 many crops, but a very small quantity will suffice. One 

 bushel per acre yearly is all that is needed. In absorbing 

 ammonia from the manure heap, charcoal dust and leaf 

 mould are much cheaper. 



Marl where it can be obtained may be applied with ad- 

 vantage especially to sandy soils. It is generally benefi- 

 cial in proportion to the quantity of lime it contains. 



Soot is rich in ammonia ; very little of this can be pro- 

 cured, but it should be carefully preserved and applied in 

 small quantities to cabbage and other plants infested with 



