622 Use of Different Forms of Lime. [Jan., 



An important consideration in comparing cob lime and 

 ground lime with ground limestone is the relative prices 

 per ton. The cob lime and ground lime used in these experi- 

 ments cost, delivered at the railway station, 13s. and 20s. 3d. 

 per ton respectively. The cost of the ground limestone, how- 

 ever, was only 6s. 6d. per ton delivered at the same railway 

 station ; but as if tons were used in order to supply the same 

 weight of lime per statute acre as was applied in the i ton of 

 cob lime or ground lime, this raised the cost of the ground 

 limestone dressing to lis. 46. per statute acre. The use of 

 the additional J ton of ground limestone entails extra carting, 

 but it should be pointed out also that the ground limestone, 

 being delivered in bags, is much easier to handle and involves 

 less labour in its application than does cob lime. As compared 

 with ground lime, the ground limestone has not the same irritat- 

 ing effect upon the eyes and nose, and drops more readily from 

 a slag-sower in breezy weather. The ground limestone also 

 sinks very readily into the soil. 



The results of the experiments at the County Council Farm 

 in the two years 1905-6, showed that, taking into account the 

 price per ton, ground limestone can be employed economically 

 upon meadow land where a dressing of lime is needed. 



According to the results obtained at various farms in the 

 county, the more finely divided forms of lime are more imme- 

 diately effective than cob lime. The results indicate also that 

 ground limestone is a more profitable dressing than either 

 ground lime or cob lime. 



In districts where, owing to nearness of lime-kilns, it is more 

 convenient to use cob lime, it is essential that the lime be 

 spread from the heaps as soon as fallen. In order to ensure 

 more effective distribution, a light harrowing should be given 

 about two or three days afterwards, so as to scatter any lumps 

 that may not have fallen in the heaps. 



Ground lime should not be delivered at the farm until all 

 arrangements have been made for its application, as loss will be 

 occasioned by the bursting of the bags. The ground lime 

 should be finely ground so that not less than 35 per cent, would 

 pass through a sieve with 10,000 holes to the square inch, and 

 should contain about go per cent, of lime. 



