402 



The Use of Lime. 



[OCT., 



in proportion for inferior lime. Finally, the heap is covered 

 with half a ton or less of sand for each ton of lime. The heap 

 thus made will keep the lime for a considerable time. Before 

 using, the heap is screened through a three-eighth-inch gauge 

 locking screen, which costs about 18s. The lime thus slaked is 

 now in a fine powdery condition, and the sand mixed with it 

 renders the spreading a somewhat less dusty process. One ton 

 of good lime or lime shells absorbs about 6 cwt. of water, the 

 lime being converted into hydrate of lime in the process of 

 slaking or slackening. Lime when over slaked gets into a 

 pasty condition, after which even distribution in the soil is 

 impossible. When slaking has been properly done, the lime 

 is in the form of a fine dry powder, and may be carted 

 to the land and distributed by hand direct from the carts, a 

 process which must be thoroughly done. It is much better, 

 however, to adopt the American plan, i.e., to use a good manure 

 distributor, to which old bagging should be attached at the sides 

 and behind. This trails along the ground and prevents much 

 of the discomfort that is otherwise caused by the blowing about 

 of the fine lime. Glasses for eyes and protective devices for the 

 nostrils and mouth are also used by men who do this work. 



The quantity of lime to apply per acre varies from 2 to 3 

 tons of lime shells at intervals of six or eight years. Smaller 

 dressings of about 1 ton per acre at fairly frequent intervals are 

 now recommended by many. Considerably larger quantities 

 are used in the treatment of newly reclaimed land rich in 

 organic matter and plant food. 



The improper application of lime in many cases results in its 

 being of very little service. The writer, some time ago, saw 

 some turves cut .from an old pasture field in which two distinct 

 layers of lime were visible, one about two inches deep, which had 

 been applied eight years ago, and cne about six inches deep, 

 which had been applied over thirty years ago. In both cases the 

 lime had been applied in a lumpy condition to the surface of 

 the pasture and had gradually sunk owing to the action of 

 earthworms and other agents, but as it had never really mixed 

 with the soil the good effects of both dressings must have been 

 greatly limited thereby. 



Purity. — The better-class limestones of the Mountain Lime- 



