Sciet iti ft r Agriculture. 



188 



advisable in cases of very acid soils which are to be seeded down and are to remain 

 in grass for several years. The practice of applying small amounts of lime at some- 

 what f requent intervals is being generally accepted as preferable to the use of large 

 amounts at rare intervals. 



Lime combined as carbonate, as in mail, wood ashes, etc., can usually be 

 applied with safety in the spring or at any other season of the year, but autumn 

 is always the safest time to apply caustic or slaked lime. It is generally considered 

 best to apply the lime to the soil immediately after plowing and harrow it in 

 thoroughly. Lime which is already slaked may be spread upon the soil directly from 

 wagons or carts, or dumped into heaps and then spread with a shovel, although 

 the most satisfactory plan in such cases is to use a lime spreader or ordinary grain 

 drill with a fertilizer attachment. "Where a lime spreader or similar implement 

 is not available the burnt lime may be placed on the soil in piles of from 40 to 50 

 pounds each, covered with moist earth, and allowed to slake before being spread 

 with a shovel. Marls frequently contain injurious compounds and should therefore 

 be allowed to weather for some time in the field before being incorporated with 

 the soil. The same is true of gas-house lime, which is impregnated with sulphur 

 compounds which are injurious to plants. 



In conclusion it may be said, ascertain first whether lime is needed. If it is, 

 apply it judiciously, and never depend upon lime alone to maintain the fertility 

 of the soil, for all of the ingredients which plants need must be present in the soil 

 to insm*e the profitable production of^erops. 



