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The deficiency in lime or calcium salts is particularly marked 
and is greatest in the peat formations of the coast overlying clay sub- 
soils. 
As is well-known, the peaty soils are very sour or acid in 
character when first opened out and the dVainage water remains acid 
for months or even years after such lands are first opened out for 
cultivation. 
Thfe Advantages of Liming. 
(n) Peaty Lands :— In earlier days of agricultural practice in 
Europe, peaty lands were first opened out by through 
drainage, to carry off the excess of water and to aerate and 
dry the soils. 
The surface was then broken up by ploughs and the 
earth heaped together and burnt, the combustion being 
allowed to proceed slowjy. In this way the mineral con- 
stituents were increased proportionately and the acidity of 
the soil was neutralised by the alkaline ashes — chiefly 
carbonates of the alkalis (soda, and potash) formed by 
burning the organic salts of these substances. 
The great disadvantage of such a process is the loss 
of nitrogen in the organic matter of the soil. 
This method has now been replaced by thorough drain- 
age of land in such cases, the land after drainage being 
allowed to remain for some considerable time, in order to 
become consolidated, since, as is well known, and can be 
easily observed in the peaty soils in our coast districts, 
considerable shrinkage takes place when such land is 
opened out, and the land frequently sinks a foot or even 
more in many cases. The soil is then thoroughly limed 
to neutralise any acidity and to render the essential con- 
stituents more available for the plants subsequently 
cultivated on the land. To show the effect of lime on peaty 
land it is only necessary to collect the dark brown peaty 
drainage water and add to it a little lime water or solid 
lime — when, on standing for about 5-10 minutes, the whole 
of the organic matter is precipitated and a clear colour- 
less water left. * 
r b) Clay Lands : — Clay soils were originally improved in a 
similar way, the clay after ploughing being heaped together 
with organic debris and slowly burnt at a low temperature. 
The physical texture of clay soils is improved in this way. 
The same disadvantage in the application of this method 
to clay soils exists as in the case of peaty soils, i.e., loss 
of organic nitrogen. 
