478 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



other nutrients, and the facts so far ascertained seem to point to the 

 conclusion that the toxicity of an excess of lime or magnesia is due not 

 simply to an unfavourable ratio between these two salts, but to an 

 unfavourable ratio between the salt that is in excess and all the other 

 salts present. In ordinary soils the concentration of all the salts is 

 extremely low, and the toxic action of any one salt in such circum- 

 stances would not be expected to become apparent unless it were 

 greatly in excess of all the others. But in alkali soils, where there is a 

 concentrated salt solution, it appears that the ratio of lime to magnesia 

 may be of the utmost importance in determining the growth of plants. 



A. P. 



Lime for Orchards. By P. J. Carmody (Jour. Dep. Agr. Vict. Oct. 

 1912, pp. 640-641). — On soils rich in lime the wood is matured earlier, 

 and the fruit-buds are more stocky and robust, than is the case with 

 trees grown on soils deficient in lime. It is generally recognized that 

 the trees are not so manageable nor so prolific in bearing in soils 

 where lime is deficient. Though lime plays an important part in the 

 apple and pear tree, it is in the stone fruits that its value is most 

 apparent. It is a familiar fact that in soils rich in lime the stone 

 fruits set their crops well, and are not so prone to cast off their fruit 

 at the period of " stoning " as is otherwise the case. Where trees 

 are making extensive wood growth with abundant foliage there is 

 but little doubt that the application of lime at the rate of 7 to 8 cwt. 

 to the acre would be of pronounced benefit. — C. H. H. 



Lime in Relation to Soil Fertility. By John W. Paterson 

 and P. R. Scott (Jour. Dep. Agr. Vict. pp. 619-628). — Summary and 

 conclusions : (1) Lime tends to leave the surface soil through various 

 channels, and fresh applications become necessary to maintain 

 fertility. (2) Carbonate of lime is the best form of lime for the soil. 

 (3) Burnt and slaked lime are rapidly changed to carbonate when 

 they are applied to land. (4) The rate at which lime acts depends on 

 its fineness of division. (5) Lime, but especially hot lime, has a good 

 effect upon the mechanical condition of stiff clays. (6) Gypsum also 

 coagulates clay, but it has not the beneficial action of lime in other 

 directions. (7) Lime greatly hastens the production of nitrates. 

 (8) It has a good effect in liberating potash and phosphoric acid, 

 especially when the latter is combined with iron or alumina. (9) Where 

 required by soil, lime produces larger crops. (10) It produces root 

 crops which are of greater feeding value per ton. (11) It may often 

 be a profitable application to grass land. (12) Lime kills sorrel, dock, 

 and other acid-loving weeds. (13) It is specially stimulating to 

 lucerne, clovers, and leguminous plants. (14) Lime will not act if 

 phosphates are deficient. (15) It increases the need, everywhere 

 present, of ploughing-in green manures or stubbles. (16) It facilitates 

 this operation. (17) The surest method of determining the need of 

 lime is to dress trial strips and await results. — C. H. H. 



